The Tea Fire started on Thursday evening in the hills above Montecito. Officially, 1,940 acres burned. Containment estimated at 80%. 210 residences destroyed. Three people, including one firefighter, have been burned and were hospitalized. One possibly associated fatality, a 98-year-old man who was evacuated from his home and later passed away, has been reported.

From the comments board:

2008-11-15 10:19 AM
I just came from breakfast and there were several firefighters there getting take out. They said the fire has basically "not grown" since yesterday. They are optimistic that all they will be doing now is "mopping up." As long as the winds remain calm, which is what is predicted for our area, then the situation looks good. Some crew and equipment had to go to the Sylmar fire, and these guys weren't pleased with that, yet it had to be done. We are not out of the woods, but the view is much improved!

(from Keyt)A major brushfire has broken out in the hills above Santa Barbara. It is in the area above East Mountain Drive and heading east towards Cold Spring Road.Many residents are starting to evacuate.Dozens of fire engines are heading into the area.The fire can be seen for miles.

Key News is showing the fire live .

COMMENT 16309

2008-11-13 06:41 PM

Update on fire from KEYT on TV: Trying to get people out right away. Just started less than an hour ago. Evacuating north of Mountain Dr and Cold Springs. Westmont College is gathering at the gym. Sounds like the Coyote Rd area is being evacuated. Very high winds and not very good forecast for the overnight. Could be lots of flare-ups. Roads and such are much harder to get out of, so please do not go to the area as a looky-loo. Are already worried about people trying to evacuate on the narrow roads while fire engines (the same width as the road are trying to go up the roads. Stay away from the area if you don't need to be there, and get out right away so traffic jams don't occur!

COMMENT 16310

2008-11-13 06:43 PM

KEYT is calling it the Las Alturas Road fire.

COMMENT 16311

2008-11-13 06:46 PM

KEYT telling people not to wait for evacuation orders, get out now if you are near by.

99.9 has live updates and 102.3 has some updates. Can see the flames all the way from Goleta.

COMMENT 16315

2008-11-13 06:54 PM

Very confusing. If north of Mountain Dr is being affected, the fire is higher in the mountains than the graphic on KEYT. That shows it down near APS... But I'm glad they are on air and covering it. KEYT, that is.

COMMENT 16316

2008-11-13 06:58 PM

Z28RACEGIRL,As someone who was evacuated from the Gap Fire, I know that it's hard to tell the exact locations of the fires by sight, whether you're watching on TV or just from the roads, and especially at night. It always seems bigger at night. From the angles and with all the different hills and valleys, you can't tell. I would say that it's not far from APS though (relatively speaking and in terms of the winds). This is so much worse than the Gap Fire with these conditions.

Breaking News Update -Brushfire Spreading in Santa Barbara HillsA major brushfire has broken out in the hills above Santa Barbara. It is in the area above East Mountain Drive and heading east towards Cold Spring Road.Many residents are starting to evacuate.Dozens of fire engines are heading into the area.The fire can be seen for miles.

Santa Barbara and Montecito Fire Departments are spreading out for structure protection throughout the area.

Two helicopters are en route. No other aircraft is up.

The Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Centerhas opened up.

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Chairman Salud Carbajal, says the area has held evacuation drills just for this kind of crisis.He says emergency crews are "mobilizing".

Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum is meeting with top emergency leaders at City Hall.

Residents are evacuating on their own without notice.

Winds are very strong in the area. Firefighters on the scene say several power lines are now down. Edison crews are being called to the scene.

Key News is showing the fire live .

COMMENT 16319

2008-11-13 07:07 PM

Winds in the area are said to be gusting up to 70 miles per hour with sustained winds of 25 to 50 miles per hour. (KEYT)

COMMENT 16320

2008-11-13 07:08 PM

KSBY had a great shot from a helicopter. As of 7:00 they are showing Jeopardy. Perfect!

COMMENT 16321

2008-11-13 07:11 PM

KEYT TV again: getting info re 2 more fires (probably due to spotting) at Via Chapparel and Foothill and MIssion Canyon and Foothill.

EDONE

2008-11-13 07:13 PM

We can see Foothill & Mission Canyon out the window. Don't see anything there, yet.

Yikes!

COMMENT 16323

2008-11-13 07:14 PM

I'm near Via Chapperl and it is way over near the 154, 7 miles or more away from the fire. Would be a crazy spot fire. Going to do some citizen journalism...

COMMENT 16324

2008-11-13 07:15 PM

Looks like power is being interrupted again. At home near Hwy 154 and Foothill we're having power hiccups. KEYT has video but no sound. Crazy they don't have generators? Or is that just cost prohibitive?

COMMENT 16325

2008-11-13 07:18 PM

Everyone in mission canyon is leaving from what my wife tells me. Time to evacuate is now before the traffic jam starts

GOWEST

2008-11-13 07:19 PM

Sound on KEYT is off.

COMMENT 16327

2008-11-13 07:19 PM

KEYT has gone off the air.

COMMENT 16328

2008-11-13 07:20 PM

POPE please clarify where you are and where you are seeing a spot fire???

KEYT is off air again.

COMMENT 16329

2008-11-13 07:21 PM

KEYT is completely off air right now. Channel 20 is showing info about the Courthouse history and tours...

GOWEST

2008-11-13 07:21 PM

KSBY has Jeopardy!

COMMENT 16331

2008-11-13 07:23 PM

Anyone know the link to the inciweb fire website? I keep trying to go to www.inciweb.com and it seems like some search engine powered by ads... do I have the address wrong?

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-13 07:25 PM

keyt back on air, saying they're conserving power to xmit via generators. Great long distance photo live right now.

Adult Ed Schott Center closing, Wake Center staying open so far.

COMMENT 16333

2008-11-13 07:26 PM

Inciweb doesn't have anything on this yet.

COMMENT 16334

2008-11-13 07:27 PM

Found the website http://www.inciweb.org/state/5/ but you're right, nothing on it yet.

GOWEST

2008-11-13 07:28 PM

My cellphone (ATT) does not work ... can't pick up voicemail

COMMENT 16336

2008-11-13 07:32 PM

154 is NOT on fire. Watch the smoke, that's the direction the fire is most likely to go. CHP is reporting homes on fire on "LA PAZ". I'm really glad to see KEYT is on air.

COMMENT 16337

2008-11-13 07:32 PM

I don't understand why KEYT is going off air, unless the Mesa is also having blackouts. KEYT broadcasts from Broadcast Peak, which is west of Goleta.

COMMENT 16338

2008-11-13 07:33 PM

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department is asking local media to announce that all sworn personnel with the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department should report to duty in uniform at the Main Station in Goleta in response to the "T" Fire.

I road my bike to Via Chapparell and Foothill. There is no site of fire there. However there are fire engines coming down from Via Chaparrell. They then turned and headed West on Foothill. My thinking is there is some fire up in that San Antonio area or something. A lot of cars going up Via Chaparell and a few coming down.

COMMENT 16341

2008-11-13 07:36 PM

I know the 154 isn't on fire, but KEYT reported half hour ago a fire on Via Chaparel which is a few hundred yards West of 154. I see no spot fires in this part of town, but a lot of Fire trucks, and some of them heading AWAY from the montecito fire and towards Goleta.

EDONE

2008-11-13 07:39 PM

Visual confirmation -- THERE IS NO FIRE AT MISSION CANYON AND FOOTHILL

COMMENT 16343

2008-11-13 07:39 PM

yeah POPE i heard that also and am wondering the same thing

COMMENT 16344

2008-11-13 07:39 PM

I'm up on Bel Air Knolls and our power's flickering - power on the Mesa and Westside is notorious for cutting out at the slightest provocation. This city's electrical grid must be pretty wacky.

Re: inciweb - if memory serves, that's for national/state incidents. Is this fire in Los Padres Nat'l Forest or within county boundaries?

Looking forward to seeing some maps and more news. Good friends have evacuated already.

COMMENT 16345

2008-11-13 07:40 PM

Interestingly enough, KCAL out of LA has better coverage of the fire.

GOWEST

2008-11-13 07:41 PM

Anyone know how close the fire is the the five-points roundabout?

COMMENT 16347

2008-11-13 07:41 PM

There have been sirens of all sorts up and down the 154 at about Foothill since 5:45. I do not know why. Pope, are you sure you didn't hear KEYT talking about the fire being in the chapparal that grows in the hills???

COMMENT 16348

2008-11-13 07:42 PM

“Inciweb doesn't have anything on this yet.”

Inciweb will not list this fire as it is not on federal land. It will be listed on the Cal Fire site eventually (not yet) at:

http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_info.php

COMMENT 16349

2008-11-13 07:43 PM

Reportedly you can call 211 for more updates. My phone doesn't work, so I can't try it.

COMMENT 16350

2008-11-13 07:44 PM

Z28RACERGIRL they definitely said via chapparal and foothill -

COMMENT 16351

2008-11-13 07:44 PM

Clarification about the personnel announcement: The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department is asking local media to announce that all *off duty* sworn personnel with the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department should report to duty in uniform at the Main Station in Goleta in response to the "T" Fire.

COMMENT 16352

2008-11-13 07:47 PM

They did definitely say both of those areas Via Chapparal and Foothill and Foothill and Sycamore Canyon around 7:10 on KEYT. I used my DVR to rewind and make sure I got the names right before I sent my comment. However, I haven't heard it mentioned since on KEYT, and from some of the eye witness reports, sounds like it could've been quite wrong. Wouldn't be the first time something was reported wrong.

OK what KEYT said but as POPE reported Via Chapparal at Foothill is not on fire. KEYT first also had the graphic that showed APS on the East side as the fire... Not faulting ANYONE here just trying to get folks to post what they know as true.

GOWEST

2008-11-13 07:49 PM

KEYT reports that homes are burning.

COMMENT 16356

2008-11-13 07:55 PM

My power just came back on. Here in the lower west side. I wonder, why in the world would KSBY air Jeopardy when the real thing is happening.

COMMENT 16357

2008-11-13 07:57 PM

Why would Santa Maria need to change their TV viewing for us? Isn't that what KSBY covers?

Fire is burning on campus at Westmont. Two vehicle engulfed in flames. New fire on Westmont east of gym.

COMMENT 16360

2008-11-13 08:01 PM

KTYD doing a good job right now.

COMMENT 16361

2008-11-13 08:05 PM

KEYT saying that the reason they are having everyone at Westmont go to the gym, is because it's fireproof. From what I've heard about supposedly "fireproof" things, isn't that only up to certain temps? Couldn't they all get asphyxiated in there still? Things could still melt? Am I the only one who thinks that it doesn't sound like a good idea to stay holed up there in the gym?

COMMENT 16362

2008-11-13 08:05 PM

AM1680 for fire dept. information, says Montecito Fire spokeswoman.

COMMENT 16363

2008-11-13 08:09 PM

It's 88 degrees at our place at the base of the mesa right now!

I don't know if this will help people today, but do get signed up for reverse 911

http://www.sbsheriff.org/reverse911.html

STUCKONBATHST

2008-11-13 08:09 PM

KTYD is reporting that all power is out in SB but I didn't lose power on the 1400 block of Bath. Smoke is so bad that I don't want to go out to the street to see the fire. Lots of traffic though on Bath St.

COMMENT 16365

2008-11-13 08:13 PM

http://www.newspress.com/ offline...Someone forgot to tell the newspress to have generators in the server room

COMMENT 16366

2008-11-13 08:14 PM

The News-Press never seems to have any breaking news. It was the same during the Gap Fire.

COMMENT 16367

2008-11-13 08:17 PM

What's the News Press?

COMMENT 16368

2008-11-13 08:18 PM

from chp

8:13PM 425 CONEJO 17 YEAR OLD BOY AND FATHER TRAPPED AND FLAMES IN THEIR BACKYARD

COMMENT 16369

2008-11-13 08:20 PM

The News Press USED to be a paper

COMMENT 16370

2008-11-13 08:23 PM

Does anyone have ANY information as to what streets structures have burned on? KEYT is showing terrifying footage, and I fear for the homes of loved ones.

COMMENT 16371

2008-11-13 08:24 PM

Conejo is on fire?? My friend lives at 331 Conejo! Crap!

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-13 08:25 PM

Active fire in the distance directly East of 154@Cathedral Oaks.

Three aircraft orbiting high above the fire, at least two sound like multi-engine water bombers. I'll send photos and/or video in a few minutes.

COMMENT 16373

2008-11-13 08:25 PM

Just Someone,

I checked the newsmess.com site before it went offline and it had NOTHING on the fire. no loss.what a sad joke

COMMENT 16374

2008-11-13 08:28 PM

If fire is at 425 Conejo (as reported on the CHP site), then the fire has moved incredibly quickly.

COMMENT 16375

2008-11-13 08:29 PM

KCAL 9 has good coverage. 1/2 dozen fire depts in the SB area are fighting the fires. It's dark so it's more difficult. No helicopters or planes fighting the fire because of the dark. 50/hour miles per hour wind. Most of it is in the wilderness.

COMMENT 16376

2008-11-13 08:29 PM

KCAL 9 has good coverage. 1/2 dozen fire depts in the SB area are fighting the fires. It's dark so it's more difficult. No helicopters or planes fighting the fire because of the dark. 50/hour miles per hour wind. Most of it is in the wilderness.

COMMENT 16377

2008-11-13 08:31 PM

CHP site:

8:29PM 29-10 ASST SEARCH AND RESCUE WITH WELFARE CHECK E MTN/ASHL

COMMENT 16378

2008-11-13 08:32 PM

What's the address for the CHP site?

COMMENT 16379

2008-11-13 08:33 PM

Chp is athttp://cad.chp.ca.gov/

COMMENT 16380

2008-11-13 08:34 PM

KEYT just announced that AM 1680 been set up for fire info.

COMMENT 16381

2008-11-13 08:34 PM

Select Ventura from the dropdown menu

COMMENT 16382

2008-11-13 08:35 PM

keyt.com

8:25 P.M. 300 + ACRES HAVE BURNED

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS:Above Hwy 192 (East Valley Rd/Sycamore Cyn Rd.) between Cold Springs Rd and Hot Springs Rd.Evacuation Center will be located at San Marcus High SchoolTune to AM1680 and your local cable news for more information

WESTMONT COLLEGESTUDENTS BEING EVACUATED INTO THE GYM THEY ARE SHELTERING IN PLACE.THERE ARE REPORTS OF SPOT FIRES ON CAMPUS, STUDENTS ARE NOT THREATENED

COMMENT 16383

2008-11-13 08:37 PM

Once again Edhat is on top of it!

It's hard being informed here in Vegas, keep the info coming.

I have family and friends on Dawlish, Jamison any info on that area would be appreciated

Three aircraft orbiting high above the fire, at least two sound like multi-engine water bombers. I'll send photos and/or video in a few minutes."

Any more about this??? Sounds like a separate area?? Second fire?

COMMENT 16389

2008-11-13 08:50 PM

Ok, this sounds crazy, but KEYT just listed at the bottom of the screen that there is a spot fire at El Capitan and 101... doesn't sound like would have been spot fire from the fire in Montecito considering that is at least 20 miles from the fire... anyone know anything about this one?

COMMENT 16390

2008-11-13 08:55 PM

CHP website is reporting fire at highway 217 and 101--near UCSB

COMMENT 16391

2008-11-13 08:55 PM

on the eastside, depending on how the wind moves it, you can see a really heavy glow from the fire. spooky. seems to me like most of the power is on on the riviera though right now.

COMMENT 16392

2008-11-13 08:57 PM

There is NO fire Via Chaperral @ Foothill or Mission Canyon @ Foothill. I live on Foothill in between and checked.

GOWEST

2008-11-13 08:58 PM

I am confused. Las Alturas is South of 192. No evacuation there?

COMMENT 16394

2008-11-13 08:58 PM

cbs2.com has live chopper video of fire-no landmarks so it's difficult to see where it is..looks pretty impressive- if you are in Mission Canyon, , be prepared-it seems like wind is pushing fire in that direction

Fire looks much smaller directly East of 154@Cathedral Oaks now. I have some stills from this location, and could email one or two to Ed if he'd like to post them. Most people are probably watching the live TV, but maybe some only have internet?

I agree with those who say it does not look like there will be any water or fire suppression drops. The aircraft that were circling did get lower, but never looked to be lining up for a run. Possibly doing infrared imaging for the ground crews. I shot some low-res long-lens video from 154@Cathedral Oaks and could email that to Ed if desired.

COMMENT 16402

2008-11-13 09:08 PM

At a bit before 9, the fire appeared to be raging. I went to get my camera and 10 minutes later, the fire appears to be under control. But I did just hear what sounded like an explosion at 5 after 9.

COMMENT 16403

2008-11-13 09:09 PM

islaygreg, i can see actual fire on the ridges from my view at garden/victoria. i think the smoke is obscuring a lot of what is going on over there.

COMMENT 16404

2008-11-13 09:10 PM

False fire report on the 217/101 area. It has been taken off of CHPs site and my husband just drove through the area and verified there is no fire there.

http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSBA shows all air traffic with a flight plan in our airspace.

I'm downloading stills and video from my camera & camcorder, and will send those to Ed before going back to shoot some more - all 154@Cathedral Oaks.

EDONE

2008-11-13 09:38 PM

Lisa Slavid took these pictures between 6:30-7:30. You can get a sense of how windy it is from the branches.

PJG

2008-11-13 09:39 PM

I heard that they think it started above the Tea House structure on Westmont Campus.

COMMENT 16428

2008-11-13 09:41 PM

keyt reports homes on fire on riviera near western flank but no other info

COMMENT 16429

2008-11-13 09:43 PM

Anyone have a map of the area?

COMMENT 16430

2008-11-13 09:43 PM

I just drove in from down south. You can see the flames from the 101 just south of La Conchita and as we got closer it was sobering. The flames are clearly encroaching on the riviera and it was evident that homes are on fire.

EDONE

2008-11-13 09:45 PM

KEYT said the whole Riviera is being evacuated above APS all the way to Mission Canyon Rd.

COMMENT 16432

2008-11-13 09:45 PM

KEYT just announced mandatory evacuation north of APS, between Sycamore Cyn and Mission Cyn.

Here a kml file for Google Earth for where the fire seems to be mainly located right now, http://discgolfmaps.googlepages.com/TeaFire.kml

COMMENT 16438

2008-11-13 09:48 PM

Fat J and Blazer with the help of John P are doing a fantastic job at KJEE 92.9

COMMENT 16439

2008-11-13 09:48 PM

I have family that has evacuated from Mountain Drive and I am watching events unfold from the East Coast. From what i can learn from the web, fire is heading East - yes? Can someone provide me with boundaries - by road names - of the fire. East, West, North and South?

Very appreciative.

COMMENT 16440

2008-11-13 09:48 PM

The "Tea Gardens" is a private garden on an old estate at Mountain Dr. and Cold Springs. The upper portion of the old gardens is an arch structure seen high above Mountain Dr. When I was in high school skaters would sneak into the then-abandoned grounds and skate on the empty, concrete ponds. That area of the gardens was known as the "Tea Bowls" then.

COMMENT 16441

2008-11-13 09:49 PM

FAR AWAY, look at the maps that have already been linked here.

COMMENT 16442

2008-11-13 09:51 PM

Police near Valerio and Salsipuedes have told us that we are currently under an evacuation warning

COMMENT 16443

2008-11-13 09:52 PM

thanks, GeniusJ. I have examined maps. I am looking for greater detail - east of cold spring? west of gilbrater, etc.... could not find that on maps... maybe my error.

KEYT reports that the fire has crossed APS to Montecito and Gutierrez.

COMMENT 16462

2008-11-13 10:26 PM

KEYT reports that there is a call center set up. Here is the phone number: 805-681-5197

GOWEST

2008-11-13 10:31 PM

The national guard is tell people on E Gutierrez and E Montecito that they have 10 minutes to leave.

Marty Blum tells us that Rustys pizza is donating pizza to the command center.

COMMENT 16464

2008-11-13 10:31 PM

If you call the "call center number" you will only encounter a busy signal.

EDONE

2008-11-13 10:33 PM

Reports that the Botanic Garden is on fire.

WAHINE

2008-11-13 10:38 PM

THANK YOU EDHAT! Once again, I look to this website for the latest info.

COMMENT 16467

2008-11-13 10:39 PM

From Pedregosa street it looks like a dead zone, no smoke, but oddly reminiscent of Dante's Peak. There is a lot of traffic coming down from APS.

COMMENT 16468

2008-11-13 10:40 PM

The Botanic Garden?? Is the fire that far WEST at Mission Cyn??

EDONE

2008-11-13 10:42 PM

Upper Cheltenham was evacuated about 20 minutes ago.

COMMENT 16470

2008-11-13 10:47 PM

From looking at the pictures from Ray Ford's article, I can tell you those are pictures of the quonset huts (near physics building) on fire and the library nearly on fire. I have also heard from others the page hall dorm, voskuyl prayer chapel, and clark dorms are on fire.

COMMENT 16471

2008-11-13 10:49 PM

Does anyone know about homes on Mountain Dr. near the ol' reservoir? I have a student that lives there.

Thanks!

WAHINE

2008-11-13 10:49 PM

Edaht, what about lower Cheltenham? I heard the announcement to evacuate but I didn't know how far away it was.

Can anyone confirm the botanic garden on fire report??Did the fire get that far yet?? I am on east coast but have a family home above the botanic gardens. Thank you for any info.

COMMENT 16475

2008-11-13 10:54 PM

EDONE: Re Cheltenham evac and Botantic Garden on fire. That is not correct according to the command center. The current evac area is for the area EAST of Mission Canyon Rd and above 192/ Foothill. Yeah, those two places you mentioned are close, but not officially in the zone.

EDONE

2008-11-13 10:56 PM

I know people on upper Cheltenham. Sheriff's knocked on their door and told them to leave.

JUKINJAY

2008-11-13 10:57 PM

Fire map. Evacuation area shaded red.

http://tinyurl.com/6s3a6u

COMMENT 16479

2008-11-13 11:02 PM

LA Times slideshow - flames shoot over high-wire powerlines

http://tinyurl.com/58h3vj

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-13 11:04 PM

My lame Flickr page won't accept a video clip from my Mac even tho the clip is small and short. I'm going back out to shoot more stills, rather than try to create a uTube account and upload the video there. If anyone's desperate for a 25fps 320x240 5 second 464k MP3 video clip, post a plea and if I see it maybe uTube will be on my agenda for tonight. Unless the gentle East wind that just wafted smoke through the window brings something more...

Palmenteri just interviewed 2 kids who shouldn't have been up there and got in the way of firefighters on Las Alturas. :-/

COMMENT 16488

2008-11-13 11:27 PM

www.westmont.edu update:

"Conditions on campus improved to the point where staff were able to get food from the Dining Commons and bring it to the gym, where the community is sheltered in place.

Conditions in the area may make it possible now to leave the campus for a Red Cross shelter, but that option is still being explored.Firefighters are currently attempting to put out several fires at Clark Hall. Structures lost to or significantly damaged by fire include the Physics Building, the 'old Math" building, Bauder Hall and the Quonset Huts.

Again, we are grateful that no one has been hurt on campus, and everyone is safely in the gymnasium and in good spirits.

Thank you for your prayers. The emergency hotline number at 1-888-565-7911 has current information.."

COMMENT 16489

2008-11-13 11:29 PM

palminteri did plenty of his own getting in the way of firefighters. He needs to get of of the damn way.

COMMENT 16490

2008-11-13 11:30 PM

KEYT just reported some lookie-loos who got interviewed. The man said soooo non-chalantly that "oh yeah, we saw some homes burning." Zero emotion. The woman said they just came up to check out the fire. Of course, the reporter told them to clear out of there since they are in the way of the firefighters! Stupid!!

I also heard earlier from KETY that two structures burned down at Westmont College: The Physics and "Old Math" building.

COMMENT 16491

2008-11-13 11:38 PM

Dirtgirl - thanks for pointing me here. This is a great resource. We were thinking the same thing about those kids- how bout the grin on his face. Unreal!

COMMENT 16492

2008-11-13 11:42 PM

70 homes and 800 acres burned, as per KEYT.

COMMENT 16493

2008-11-13 11:42 PM

KSBY reported 70 structures burned and 1/4 of Montecito has been evacuated.

COMMENT 16494

2008-11-13 11:43 PM

Just heard on KEYT that 800 acres and 70 homes have burned.

COMMENT 16495

2008-11-13 11:44 PM

These spectators are impossible. Via CHP:

11:34PM SBSBO REQ UNIT AT FOOTHILL AT TYE / ONCE OFFICER LEFT PEOPLE ARE GOING THRU ROAD BLOCK

COMMENT 16496

2008-11-13 11:49 PM

So, KEYT is 20 minutes behind KSBY on reporting over 70 structures burned, as well as the 700 acre number. All I hear is whining about no new information is available as we watch Joe move out of the way while fire trucks try to get out of the Cold Springs area. Palmanteri at least was being aggressive in finding out information. Watching keyt through this is like watching a Jerry Lewis telethon. They should take a few notes from Danielle Lerner's video reports. Good grief, their last update over the past 2 hours actually came from the Associated Press.

COMMENT 16497

2008-11-13 11:52 PM

The helicopters are landing at SB Jr high filling up w water and going up into the fire. They have 2 going at the moment one from LA and the other is from sb.

COMMENT 16498

2008-11-13 11:52 PM

no idea if this will work, but here is a pic from lot 10 around 630pm[IMG]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/dadunc205x/DSCN2377.jpg[/IMG]

COMMENT 16499

2008-11-13 11:56 PM

3 News reports the fire did not spread below Pueblo Vista and Las Alturas. Hopefully that holds true and is good news for some friends!

COMMENT 16500

2008-11-13 11:58 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkrider/

Link to two pics I took from Elings park around 11:30pm looking back across downtown with the fire burning above.

COMMENT 16501

2008-11-13 11:59 PM

KEYT once again shows how ineffectual they are. Reporters obstructing fire crews, newscasters offering late or otherwise unhelpful updates, cameramen who can't hold a shot still, weathermen promising to "do something about this wind"... Will they ever rise above amateur status?

COMMENT 16502

2008-11-14 12:01 AM

KEYT isn't doing that bad of a job. Reporting on a fire isn't a typical day's work.

It does look like they'll be going off air soon.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 12:03 AM

Here's another link with news... has that good fire map plus links to stories in other news media.

If you're internet only, Fox 11 News in LA has streaming video. MIssing some facts (they should read edhat!) but still decent coverage for an out of town station, and good helicopter footage. Just ignore the references to local celebrities.http://media.myfoxla.com/live/

COMMENT 16507

2008-11-14 12:09 AM

It seems pretty lame that KEYT just ended live coverage to air a Jimmy Kimmel(?)/Coca Cola commercial...

COMMENT 16508

2008-11-14 12:09 AM

That's an incredible resource Jazzee! A true web 2.0 application.

COMMENT 16509

2008-11-14 12:11 AM

If anyone has any information about Coyote Circle, please post. Your info would be greatly appreciated.

WAHINE

2008-11-14 12:11 AM

Boy, some of you are very hard on KEYT. They have been reporting almost nonstop for about 6 hours. OK, sometimes they don't seem to be "with it" but no news service is perfect. (except Edhat, of course)

COMMENT 16511

2008-11-14 12:12 AM

On to muted south park and the radio. Can anyone recommend a radio station?

On my drive home I discovered that the News Press really is reporting on this, but it's via a radio station.

COMMENT 16512

2008-11-14 12:14 AM

I am not too sure about coyote circle. it seems to be in the epicenter, but who knows, it may have survived. A friends house burned down and it was on coyote rd.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 12:15 AM

Looks like the fire's going to sleep (KEYT alread did), so in a few minutes I'll take down the TV screen captures from my Flickr page and go to sleep myself. Hope we're all still here in the morning...

COMMENT 16514

2008-11-14 12:17 AM

KTYD (99.9) is still reporting. I'm not sure what happened to KJEE (92.9) - I'm getting a spanish broadcast not about the fire.

COMMENT 16515

2008-11-14 12:19 AM

The winds have calmed down dramatically and choppers are reportedly delivering water to Cedar Lane. Lets hope for dampness overnight along safe and effective fire fighting!

COMMENT 16516

2008-11-14 12:20 AM

AM 990 has had good coverage all evening long. They reported earlier that the broadcast towers on Gibraltar Rd. were on fire (and have subsequently been destroyed), which is where KJEE, KLIT and a number of other stations had their transmitters.

COMMENT 16518

2008-11-14 12:24 AM

The News Press Radio station is AM 1290.

You can also get the radio station online: http://www.newspress.com/Top/sbnp_radio/radio.html

COMMENT 16519

2008-11-14 12:35 AM

Every few minutes I have a helicopter flying above, so they are making headway on lots of drops right now! Hooray for calm winds!

COMMENT 16520

2008-11-14 12:38 AM

KTYD is talking to someone that says the fire is almost out, but I can still see large flames from my house 10 miles away.

COMMENT 16521

2008-11-14 12:48 AM

Our view is kind of like that of Loma Alta and the fire has certainly spread up towards the peaks of the Santa Ynez, but the 2 homes that we could see burning a couple of hours ago are still the only two that we can see.

Via 99.9 - Evacuation order is to the north El Camino Cielo, east Hot springs, west Tunnel, south APS from Tunnel to 5pts roundabout. Southern is most active and most confusing boundary.

COMMENT 16522

2008-11-14 12:51 AM

Burn area is now reported to be 1500 acres.

COMMENT 16523

2008-11-14 12:54 AM

Nice website. Hey I just heard the County guy (Boyer?) describe the evacuation boundaries. He said the west boundary was Tunnel Rd. Does that mean that Mission Canyon is no long a boundary, or is he getting the two roads confused?

Since tunnel is east of upper mission canyon, that would make sense (upper mission is included in the evacuation)

COMMENT 16527

2008-11-14 12:59 AM

The only glowing spots I see out my window right now are to the East above Montecito.

COMMENT 16528

2008-11-14 01:03 AM

Wondering about updates on Drexel and Las Alturas. I had to evacuate earlier and the friends I am staying with are in bed - so no radio. Thanks for any info. you can provide. Can't sleep.

COMMENT 16529

2008-11-14 01:04 AM

Me too Greg. I think it's safe to sleep a few hours. I was going to set my alarm for the middle of the night, but I'll trust my instincts to hear (the hopefully nonexistent wind) howl. Stay safe SB!

COMMENT 16530

2008-11-14 01:05 AM

I take it back, there is another flare up to the west - I'm guessing in the Alturas Rd area but by Camino Cielo.

COMMENT 16531

2008-11-14 01:06 AM

Izzy...drexel is much further below what was earlier being reported as the "top" of the fire on las alturas. I don't think any house near the fire is in the clear, but things currently look good for that area.

KEVSTEELE

2008-11-14 01:07 AM

The google map pointed to earlier pretty accurately follows what the Fire Dept is listing as mandatory evacuation:

Residents on both sides of Tunnel Road above Montrose.Only residents on the east side of Tunnel Road below Montrose."

COMMENT 16533

2008-11-14 01:09 AM

We can also see that there is a spot toward the west that is looking pretty "hot" right now.

99.9 listener report on Conejo Road has the fire raging and we still have choppers flying above us.

COMMENT 16534

2008-11-14 01:10 AM

KTYD reports (from a local homeowner) that houses on Conejo Rd and Mountain Dr are burning.

COMMENT 16535

2008-11-14 01:13 AM

Here's a blurb from the CHP site I'm having trouble deciphering.

12:48AM TOP OF EUC HILL AT THE COND AND APT COMPLES 200-400 UNITS IS NOW ON FIRE

I think they mean 200-400 block of Eucalyptus Hill Drive... Could there really be 200 apt units on fire?

COMMENT 16536

2008-11-14 01:14 AM

Can anyone confirm whether the broadcast site is burned?

COMMENT 16537

2008-11-14 01:17 AM

KJEE is off the air, so yes I think the broadcast site has been burned.

COMMENT 16538

2008-11-14 01:21 AM

Thank you, Dirt Girl.

COMMENT 16539

2008-11-14 01:22 AM

Any actual confirmation from KJEE or other broadcasters?

COMMENT 16540

2008-11-14 01:25 AM

New glow to the west, possibly above the Botanic Gardens.

COMMENT 16541

2008-11-14 01:25 AM

A number of broadcast sties burned but I can't remember which ones.

Choppers going strong. Time for sleep. Safely sleeping under the songs of the helicopter...

COMMENT 16542

2008-11-14 01:29 AM

KTYD reporting that KLIT antenna melted.

KEVSTEELE

2008-11-14 01:37 AM

New evac orders (1:09AM) extend West to Cheltanham in Mission Canyon..my backyard.

Residents living in the following areas must evacuate:

* North of 192 between Hot Springs Road and Cheltenham * All of Sycamore Canyon * North of 192 between Sycamore Canyon and Gibraltar Road * Sycamore Canyon at Eucalyptus Hill, South to Salinas to 5 Points * North: East Camino Cielo * East: Hot Springs Road * West: Tunnel Road * South: Alameda Padre Serra from Tunnel Road to the turnaround at Five Points * Barker Pass Road between the Five Points and Highway 192, and Highway 192 from Barker Pass Road to Hot Springs Road

COMMENT 16544

2008-11-14 01:37 AM

It looks like they have the hot spots under control!!!

COMMENT 16545

2008-11-14 01:49 AM

I couldn't believe that KEYT stopped coverage at 12:05AM with the fire on the move and houses still burning. Plus, I thought the LA coverage from KCAL 9 was better than KEYT's...

COMMENT 16546

2008-11-14 01:51 AM

Well at almost 2AM, the heli's are dropping in and out of the soccer field a block from my house at SB Jr. High, presumably filling up with water (nearby hydrant?) then shooting for drops. My guess is 3 of them in sequence, about 2 or 3 minutes apart. The fire has licked up over the ridge clearly now, so I have been glued to the computer. This guys unofficial map seems to be the 'prettiest' but not sure how accurate it is; Anyhow, the edge is a quarter mile from my house so, even though the wind has died significantly, might be time to pack some things, it's a brilliant sight at this hour.

KEVSTEELE

2008-11-14 02:18 AM

Just got the reverse 911 for a WARNING, not EVAC in lower Mission canyon by Cheltenham. They said warning for above 192 as far West as Ontare.

COMMENT 16548

2008-11-14 02:35 AM

There's a guy on KTYD who's calling in from Coyote Rd, 600-900 block. Massive devastation, both sides of the road. Sounds brutal.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 02:37 AM

The city's TV channel 18 is posting updates, and also has people broadcasting live with reports from citizens in the neighborhoods.

GOWEST

2008-11-14 04:28 AM

Nine helicopters and ten air tankers are on the way. 500 fire fighters are on the line.

GOWEST

2008-11-14 04:30 AM

Radio said that "No homes burned on Loma Media"

COMMENT 16552

2008-11-14 04:33 AM

any word on the extent of structural damage around Mountain Drive and Hillcrest - near the Sheffield Res.?

Thanks

COMMENT 16553

2008-11-14 04:38 AM

Any streaming audio or video for those of us in exile?

COMMENT 16554

2008-11-14 04:54 AM

from_far_away - I have been listening and watching all night, and so far, I haven't heard of any fires west of the Stanwood/Mission Ridge intersection. There seem to be (or were) really bad fires to the east of that, though.

COMMENT 16555

2008-11-14 04:54 AM

aps flyer - your best bet is http://media.myfoxla.com/live/

EDONE

2008-11-14 04:57 AM

There are some new pictures of the fire taken last night posted on Edhat.

COMMENT 16557

2008-11-14 04:58 AM

CHP site reports -

4:24AM FIRE IS NOW COMING OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIDGE ON SIDE OF SOLEDAD AND COTA - 1039 SBFD

that intersection is a couple blocks down the hill from Las Alturas, where there have been many home fires

Is anyone online from the evacuation warning areas, particularly the mission canyon side, that can tell us what they see? Any visible fire, wind, neighborhood update? It seems that we are our own best source of solid information.

Any chance the evacuation map can be enhanced so we can read the street names?https://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/ceo/oes/Tea_Incident_-_Evac_Areas.pdf

COMMENT 16588

2008-11-14 08:02 AM

REMARKER - use the zoom feature - you can see the street names then

COMMENT 16589

2008-11-14 08:02 AM

County evac map is a pdf, so in your menu bar you can change the view percentage and read the roads.

COMMENT 16591

2008-11-14 08:04 AM

I'm so disappointed with KEYT. Last week they had no problem breaking into GMA with uninterrupted coverage of the crazy guy on the overpass, now nothing but a ton of Macy's commercials. Fox 11 is doing great... in the last 10 minutes they've had 3 different live reporters at different spots in SB.

COMMENT 16592

2008-11-14 08:06 AM

We live at Stanwood and Sycamore Canyon....our house is still there. A neighbor spent the night keeping the area watered down. Reportedly fires on all sides.

COMMENT 16593

2008-11-14 08:24 AM

Does anyone have news on Las Alturas Road... specifically by Conejo Road? There isn't constant footage on the East Coast so its hard to tell how things are going there

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 08:26 AM

keyt live again

REMARKER

2008-11-14 08:37 AM

Thanks for the info on how to zoom in on the map!

Another question: A friend is on the border of the evacuation warning map, is very nervous, and wants to find out if they are on the Reverse 911 Call list.

How can they find out?

COMMENT 16596

2008-11-14 08:40 AM

I would advise them to pack up and get out. Once you get the call, the fire is heading your way and you don't have much time. Why wait? Pack up the important things and get out for a couple of days. The air quality alone is reason enough.

It's going to be windy again this afternoon and tonight.

COMMENT 16597

2008-11-14 08:41 AM

Conejo had a tough time. I am not sure how many houses were burned there. I do know the houses on the ocean side of Las Alturas Road at Conejo are there. I hope that helps. KSBY.com is good and their tv station is good. KEYT has been extremely DISAPPOINTING.

COMMENT 16598

2008-11-14 08:46 AM

@Remarker: If your friend has a landline, then they are already on the Reverse 911 list by default. If they want to register a mobile or other number, they can do so here: http://www.sbsheriff.org/reverse911.html

COMMENT 16599

2008-11-14 08:47 AM

Thanks Eddicted... I am more concerned with the oceanside homes on the top of Las Alturas so that is definitely good news. If you hear anything else about that area, please update us!

COMMENT 16600

2008-11-14 08:50 AM

Westmont College website (when you can get into it) is reporting that all fires on campus are currently out. They are assessing the damage to the campus. 14 nearby faculty homes and 8 structures were lost (confirmed) and possibly more. There are reports that the Clark Dormitory was completely detroyed which would make it more than 8 buildings for people familiar with Westmont.

COMMENT 16601

2008-11-14 08:53 AM

There is now a fire in San Luis Obispo.

GOWEST

2008-11-14 08:54 AM

Radio reports that

. Mt. Calvary Monastery is on fire

. Houses near Skofield Park were saved.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 08:58 AM

http://crisiswire.com/2008/11/santa-barbara-fires

Excellent fire-evacuation map plus links to other news sites. Directly under map at left is View Larger Map that will give you a big version.

Reposting this for folks just joining us. And I'm going back to sleep. Thanks, Edhat.

COMMENT 16604

2008-11-14 08:58 AM

John, from the video on line and here in Texas, it looks like the urban line is holding. Do you have any idea how badly it spread out from the origin at the the old Bothene tea house ruins?

I have a friend from SBPL who evac'd last night from her home on Mountain Dr. who is making only partly wry jokes about FEMA trailers.

your friend from the SBPL and SCTA.

COMMENT 16605

2008-11-14 09:09 AM

watch at http://media.myfoxla.com/live/

COMMENT 16606

2008-11-14 09:12 AM

First fixed wing water bomber passes are being made.

COMMENT 16608

2008-11-14 09:21 AM

Sheriff Bill Brown just announced that Mt. Calvary Monastery is completely destroyed.

GOWEST

2008-11-14 09:24 AM

Fire burning now is in the canyon areas.

COMMENT 16610

2008-11-14 09:24 AM

KSBY reports Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed a state of emergency order for the fire.

COMMENT 16611

2008-11-14 09:26 AM

Any word on Lotusland?

COMMENT 16612

2008-11-14 09:29 AM

So sad about Mt. Calvary and the two people who sustained serious burns. :(

The zoo is closed today and I just received a report from a zookeeper friend that the smoke has cleared away from there (thankfully). I'm pretty sure there are lots of exhibits where animals are essentially out in the open and exposed to the smoke.

COMMENT 16613

2008-11-14 09:32 AM

KSBY.com has a live feed. Excellent for those of us in exile.

COMMENT 16614

2008-11-14 09:36 AM

A huge thank you to EdHat posters! We don't have a tv and you guys definitely out-informed any internet source.

Does anyone have any information about containment of the fire? Have any portions been put out? Is the fire slowing down?

Thanks in advance for any answers to my questions!

COMMENT 16615

2008-11-14 09:39 AM

What is the current status of Rattlesnake Canyon? Anyone know? Thanks.

COMMENT 16616

2008-11-14 09:42 AM

Please let everyone know that they need to conserve water! I walked up State and many businesses were washing down patios and sidewalks.

FOX11 saying Christopher Loyd's house is burning now. Don't know what street that is on.

COMMENT 16620

2008-11-14 09:57 AM

Unconfirmed, but we've been told that all of the homes on the Coyote Circle cul de sac have been saved, as have a few others right in the middle of the burn area. Unfortunately Coyote Road footage doesn't look good. In some neighborhoods, homeowners are reporting that the red tile roof seems to be the only difference between houses that burned and didn't burn. Hoping for the best for everyone's friends and families.

COMMENT 16621

2008-11-14 09:57 AM

I am on the north side of foothill and alamar in the warning area. it is warm out, but the good thing, at least for now is that there is no wind. We have helicopters filling up in the laurel reservoir behind us, so it is a little like a war zone outside.

COMMENT 16622

2008-11-14 09:58 AM

Does anyone know how Cedar Lane is doing? Have a friend who had to evacuate a house there? They don't know if they have a house to go back to. Thanks.

COMMENT 16623

2008-11-14 09:58 AM

Chistopher LLoyd has two houses in Montecito so not sure which one is burning now. He is selling one for $3.6M. I think this is the listing, which says $3.4M.

The 1991 Oakland Hills fire resulted from a re-ignition the day after the first fire was thought to be contained... 2800 homes lost or so... thank goodness for our firefighters around here who have been trained by Zaca, Gap, and other Socal fires...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_Hills_firestorm

COMMENT 16625

2008-11-14 10:05 AM

The Rincon Surf Blog is reporting that surfboard shaper Dave Johnson's house has burned. Not sure what part of town this is in.

I've had calls and emails from people far and wide, and I've referred all of them to edhat.com for information. I think the coverage here has been great (excepting the rumors). KEYT may be repetitive and somewhat worthless, but at least they were on air last night. The sign-off at midnight was ridiculous. I stayed on edhat until 2:30 am. I wish we could get some info about where structures have burned - what streets. That is hard to come by. The press conference (I saw on Channel 6) was informative, at least. All this is to say - thank you, Edhat. Keep up the good work. We need to know what is happening and exactly where. Pray for Santa Barbara, people.

COMMENT 16627

2008-11-14 10:09 AM

Bullet Points from KEYT news report after a news conference just finished.

- Governor just declared State of Emergency for SB -- this means that more resources will be brought in.- Control of the fire, not even in sight at this time.- 13 people injured so far, 2 evacuated to burn units in LA area- DO NOT USE WATER!!! Some reservoirs down to 20% -- need to conserve water (especially if these reservoirs need to be drained even more tonight)- Winds at 7mph now; last night at 70mph and gusty; expect winds to be 35mph this afternoon- At 11am the first DC10s will be deployed. There is a small window of opportunity to use these aircrafts since they can't fly in gusty winds (expected this afternoon)- Weather today 80 in Goleta; 84 in SB; 88 in Santa Ynez.- Use of night goggles saved many homes (could have been even worst -- like 500 homes, one official said).- Miramonte Hotel is putting people up if they have been displaced from their homes (call Penny or Dave at 805-564-6456)- Kiosks being set up at major shopping centers with info.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 10:09 AM

Does anyone know about Lotusland?

COMMENT 16629

2008-11-14 10:10 AM

Any "percent contained" yet?

COMMENT 16630

2008-11-14 10:10 AM

george lee - ceo santa barbara bank & trust is offering hotel rooms, food, etc for those who have lost their home or been displaced - 805-564-6456 - ask for penny or dave - i believe hotel is mar monte

COMMENT 16631

2008-11-14 10:15 AM

Fire source during the press conference said they're not even considering containment at this time. Just trying to get a handle on it before the winds hit this evening, if they do.

COMMENT 16632

2008-11-14 10:21 AM

watching the news last night from down here in ventura i was shocked at how windy it was considering we had NO wind down here. well, it has died down up there but it is now gusting in ventura. let's hope it stays down here. our thoughts are with everyone affected.

COMMENT 16633

2008-11-14 10:26 AM

The are most concerned about the fire spreading into the city (so far the lower Riveria has been spared). Thus they will focus their ground attack on the southern border to prevent it from spreading. The DC10 will hit the northern border. I didn't hear anything about them trying to contain it in any other places.

COMMENT 16634

2008-11-14 10:38 AM

Thank you so much, TCINSB, for the Coyote Circle update. If there is additional info about this street, please let us know. We are hoping for continued good news.

COMMENT 16635

2008-11-14 10:40 AM

From my view the fire is just smoldering around Montecito and the Riviera and it is now heading up the mountain toward the north.

COMMENT 16638

2008-11-14 10:48 AM

Update from Westmont:

8:00 am: There are no active fires on campus, no injuries, and everyone is safe.

Wesmont has 326 students remaining in the Gym; those students with transportation have been released from campus because it is safe for them to travel on area roads.

Westmont has lost eight structures, four buildings in Clark halls (F,G,M,S), the physics building, the old math building and the two quonset huts. The later three structures were scheduled for demolition soon.

Fourteen faculty homes in Las Barrancas have burned; there is damage to trees, and wooded areas on campus, but much of the formal gardens remains intact.

COMMENT 16639

2008-11-14 10:53 AM

Doc Searls has a screenshot of the MODIS incident for this, if images can be embedded:

COMMENT 16640

2008-11-14 10:58 AM

Just trying to clarify a recent report about Coyote Circle. I had heard, from word of month, it has lost atleast one home. If anyone knows otherwise please let me know. Also if anyone knows anything about the east side of Coyote Road in the 840-850 addresses, PLEASE share. Thank you for keeping the flow of info coming.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 10:59 AM

We all have computers and net access, but in case you're in contact with anyone who doesn't: Both of the Adult Ed centers (Wake - Turnpike@101, Schott - Padre@Bath near 101 Mission offramp) are open and their computer labs have free computers/net from 1-5pm today, with Schott's lab open 1-8pm today.

COMMENT 16642

2008-11-14 11:06 AM

MODIS detected a hot spot around 1000 Coyote less than an hour ago, on the West side of Coyote.

COMMENT 16643

2008-11-14 11:07 AM

Correction on Coyote Circle: the house I was refering was in the 800-810 numbers in a cul-de-sac.

COMMENT 16644

2008-11-14 11:09 AM

Correction, active fire on MODIS is 1010 UTC which was about 7 hours ago. It is currently 1907 UTC. Sorry for the confusion.

Anyone have any word on homes along Stanwood Dr? Specifically those across from Parma Park?

COMMENT 16647

2008-11-14 11:15 AM

I know the monastery burned down, but anyone know about the other homes on Mt Calvary Road? My parents' home is there.

COMMENT 16648

2008-11-14 11:26 AM

Definitely some plumes in montecito right now.

COMMENT 16649

2008-11-14 11:30 AM

my friend's home on Stanwood is lost (first home as you climb Stanwood past the park gate), don't know about others

COMMENT 16650

2008-11-14 11:30 AM

Big plume on northern side right now

COMMENT 16651

2008-11-14 11:32 AM

there is a fire icon on one of the google maps... it's at the top of stanwood just below the intersection with mission ridge (right next to the reservoir and fire station). have any houses burned there?

COMMENT 16652

2008-11-14 11:35 AM

Clothing and other items can be donated to the Unity Shoppe, the Goodwill and other charitable orgs in the area. Victims of the fire will receive red cross vouchers to go to these places to get items.

Donations can be done directly to the red cross

DONATIONS:sbredcross.org687-13312707 State St (corner of State & Alamar)

COMMENT 16653

2008-11-14 11:38 AM

Clothing and other items can be donated to the Unity Shoppe, the Goodwill and other charitable orgs in the area. Victims of the fire will receive red cross vouchers to go to these places to get items.

Donations can be done directly to the red cross

DONATIONS:sbredcross.org687-13312707 State St (corner of State & Alamar)

COMMENT 16654

2008-11-14 11:44 AM

Tegrat, thanks - the one I'm worried about is three or four houses down the road (east) of there; probably safe to assume it's gone.

Bad night for so many people.... Thank you to those who are posting ways in which we can help by donating and volunteering!

COMMENT 16655

2008-11-14 11:45 AM

You have the best coverage so far. Thanks. Channel 3 is awful awful awful. At 6:34 AM this morning they announced the "fire has been burning almost 25 hours now. About 25 hours now."

COMMENT 16656

2008-11-14 11:48 AM

Does anyone have any info about homes on Orizaba?

COMMENT 16657

2008-11-14 11:49 AM

If you want to volunteer to help - The Red cross is holding classes on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm to teach people how to work in Shelters. Call 687.1331 for more information.

COMMENT 16658

2008-11-14 11:51 AM

99.9 fm has pretty good coverage

COMMENT 16660

2008-11-14 11:56 AM

Has anyone seen the DC-10 that was supposed to be flying as of 11am?

COMMENT 16661

2008-11-14 11:57 AM

Here is an LA Times photo of the devastation. The wide road on the right is Stanwood (192) and the "tract" you see on the left is Conejo Rd, Conejo Ln, Eland Pl, and Sherman Rd.

Another source of info is the Daily Kos liveblog from marksb at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/14/92717/435/222/660846. Some good weather info. Be prepared to ignore some irrelevant stuff in the comments. Edhat is cited as a useful source in a number of comments.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 12:27 PM

I've been unable to find anything on the flight tracking websites as to the DC-10's location, so only someone listening in on the SBA approach frequency 125.4 and/or whatever the fire aviation frequency is could get info on drops. Probably easiest to just look out the window. For info on the plane there's a good wiki entry.

COMMENT 16673

2008-11-14 12:28 PM

Does anyone know about fire damage to homes on Barker Pass? I have a friend I have been unable to reach, any information would be appreciated. Like all of you, EDHAT has been the most reliable source!

COMMENT 16674

2008-11-14 12:29 PM

I was just up the the San Roque Resevior with lots of other people watching the helicopers come in to retank water. WOW...amazing...and so fast. Kudos to those folks. Avoid upper De La Vina by Trader Joe's and State. Traffic is horrid right now with looky-loos.

COMMENT 16676

2008-11-14 12:32 PM

The map on the abc7.com site shows pink all the way down to the 101. Anyone know if the warning areas have extended that far down?

Dan39 - my daughter checked with one of SBHS QB's teammates and learned that the QB's house was not burned, but was the only one left standing on the block.

COMMENT 16680

2008-11-14 12:49 PM

From where I'm staying mid-town, you have a clear view of the fire burning in Rattlesnake Canyon right now. On the Independent site, Ray Ford reports that St. Mary's Seminary did not burn down.

COMMENT 16681

2008-11-14 12:53 PM

Here's a live video feed from Fox News -- They are showing roads and streets in the area:http://media.myfoxla.com/live/

Oh.. they just saw a brown copper spaniel walking around forlornly probably looking for its owner, so sad.

They also just reported from Sherman Oaks that a 50 year old LA City firefighter had been taken to a burn unit there with 2nd & 3rd degree burns on his face & hands. They said he is in serious, but stable condition and may be able to go home later today.

Oprah's white labs have been rescued and will live in a beautiful hotel somewhere! Rob Lowe's house (her neighbor) is fine.

COMMENT 16682

2008-11-14 12:57 PM

great live feed from CNN - KCAL helicopter.

Full time:

http://www.cnn.com/live/

COMMENT 16683

2008-11-14 12:58 PM

Just reported that Mt. Calvary Monastary is the western-most destroyed building.

COMMENT 16684

2008-11-14 12:58 PM

Can anyone determine what streets the fox feed is showing?

COMMENT 16685

2008-11-14 12:58 PM

SB8BALL I'd love to tell you for sure but KEYT assures me (by ticker across top of some soap) that they will break in with changes, and they are showing the same evac areas from earlier today. And they haven't broken in for hours, so it must not have changed.

The reason we have looky-loos screwing up emergency traffic (and all traffic) is because no one is showing us what we want to know. We want to know EXACTLY what is burning and where. Not who is shooting who on whatever soap is playing on TV right now on channel 3! KEYT: spend some dough on resources instead of personalities, get a helicopter, and SHOW US.

COMMENT 16686

2008-11-14 01:01 PM

Wow! The Fox News live feed is showing a home going up now!Not sure where they are, though.

COMMENT 16687

2008-11-14 01:01 PM

the fox feed i watched just now was actually from 9:30 this morning - look on screen to see if there is a time stamp

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 01:03 PM

I just posted a long shot of a tanker over Tooth Rock (aka Cathedral Peak), and an aeronautical chart showing where the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is to my Photo Page. Anyone listening on air traffic frequencies?

COMMENT 16689

2008-11-14 01:04 PM

Oh, good catch, IMABOO2. This might not be live -- it might be from 9:30am this morning.

COMMENT 16690

2008-11-14 01:04 PM

A friend in in area reports that all homes in Coyote canyon are saved

COMMENT 16691

2008-11-14 01:04 PM

Do they have any idea when they will get this fire put out?

COMMENT 16692

2008-11-14 01:16 PM

Thanks Beachdball. I'll stop repeating what I hear, and only report what I see.

Dan

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 01:18 PM

The TV networks like to show the dramatic stuff, so be prepared to see homes burning that burned last night. It might not be new.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 01:21 PM

Anyone know if the kiosks have more current info? I seem to recall someone (Ed?) photographing one in a prior fire and posting it to EdHat with info we didn't get anywhere else. I'm only half a mile from the one at La Cumbre, so if I'm not too exhausted to ride a bike I could go get some snaps. Just don't want to do that if anyone has seen them. Actually, I'm also telling myself that the most current one would be at the fairgrounds like for Gap fire or at the Montecito Fire hall. So how about it - anyone seen the kiosks recently?

COMMENT 16695

2008-11-14 01:24 PM

On a coverage note, there is no password on the News-Press Tea Fire story. It's at:Tea Fire. John, I'm across from TJ's on DLV, I'll walk over and take a look at the kiosk.

Re: Hillcrest, I think you are fine. I am currently at the base of the riviera at the nook of pedregosa and laguna. As far as I can tell there have been some homes lost in Las Canoas/ Skofield Park/ and lower down on Stanwood. I think Hillcrest is probably ok right now. There seems to be alot of air activity in this area so I think they are prob going to be able to hold it.

COMMENT 16702

2008-11-14 01:44 PM

As of 1:30 p.m., there was no info kiosk at the DLV TJ's. The kiosk at City Hall has nothing more than the current press releases and the general outline map that is available online.

COMMENT 16703

2008-11-14 01:53 PM

confirmed that my old house at the corner on banana road is toast...732 coyote

coach of westmont soccer's home is toast on westmont road

lost the house in the sycamore fire of 77 and now it's gone 31 years later but so am i....hate the fires

peace to all...you will recover if you lost your home it only took me 30 years

COMMENT 16704

2008-11-14 01:55 PM

re: Info Kiosks

I have heard that the info kiosk is at the Milpas Trader Joe's, 29 S. Milpas, not at De La Vina.

COMMENT 16705

2008-11-14 01:56 PM

There is an info kiosk @ Cox Comm next to Gelson's

COMMENT 16706

2008-11-14 02:00 PM

I apologize if this is a stupid question, but does anyone know why they are using fresh water from the reservoirs vs. grabbing water from the ocean?just curious.

COMMENT 16707

2008-11-14 02:00 PM

What's the best radio station to listen to right now? KTYD seems to be breaking to music and stopping live coverage. I'm ideally looking for a station with live internet stream, but wondering where to find constant talk coverage of this.

COMMENT 16708

2008-11-14 02:02 PM

Banana Road, I am so sorry about your home. I hope you find comfort and peace.

How did you get your information? Are addresses of homes lost being posted anywhere?

COMMENT 16709

2008-11-14 02:03 PM

BaileyFamily - local sea water is flammable, due to the petroleum content.

JUST kidding! :-D

If I were to hazard a guess I would say the salt content would be very bad for the soil and regrowht of vegetation. Anyone with real knowledge out there that has an answer?

COMMENT 16710

2008-11-14 02:06 PM

kcal is reporting, and i can see from my view, that the smoke at the northwest corner of the fire (towards 154) is gone - kcal reports that just in the last 30 min. they have completely extinguished the northwest flank, i no longer see air support their either, it's moved to the northeast flank

COMMENT 16711

2008-11-14 02:08 PM

Re: fresh water/sea water

I heard earlier on the news that salt water would corrode the engines of the helicopters.

They call me mellow yellow.....Conserve Water Please!

COMMENT 16712

2008-11-14 02:08 PM

all i lost were the memories...moved away 7 years ago....my son is a soccer coach at westmont and was checking the head coach's house on westmont road and looked acrsss the canyon at the devastation that was his childhood home ...it is sad but now the new owners who were renting out the house can rebuild bigger and better..that's what i did 31 years ago....heartfelt sympathy to all who lost their homes....sounds like you can check out the area as long as you don't have to go through a road block....

COMMENT 16713

2008-11-14 02:09 PM

I too don't see any plumes of smoke on the northwest flank!

COMMENT 16714

2008-11-14 02:10 PM

I wouldn't advise anyone to check out the area.

COMMENT 16715

2008-11-14 02:12 PM

Copter video I took at lunchtime! http://www.flickr.com/photos/84904494@N00/3029918121/

COMMENT 16716

2008-11-14 02:15 PM

It's ludicrous that there is not a FT channel or feed devoted to this. I went thru this with the San Diego fire last year when I was evac'd. The ONLY worthwhile info came from people posting just like this on the internet.

COMMENT 16717

2008-11-14 02:19 PM

The only good solid information I can get is from people I know that are evacuating. Mission canyon is not yet on fire but if my neighbour stands on his roof he can see it about a mile away and there are no firebreaks in that direction unless they plough the botanical gardens

COMMENT 16718

2008-11-14 02:19 PM

Engine corrosion has nothing to do with why ocean water is avoided to put out fires. You will ruin the entire landscape if you use ocean water. It can be used as a last resort only.

COMMENT 16719

2008-11-14 02:20 PM

I can verify that homes on hillcrest between franchesci and 192 are fine as of this moment

COMMENT 16720

2008-11-14 02:22 PM

Kcal live chopper feed:

http://cbs2.com/

then click on "live feed" in the breaking news box.

COMMENT 16721

2008-11-14 02:23 PM

Thanks re: Franchesi/ Hillcrest and Mission Cyn. I am just below the Rose Garden and my car has been packed since last nite

COMMENT 16722

2008-11-14 02:24 PM

KCAL news just did a report from Mt. Calvary, with heartbreaking images. They haven’t posted it yet on the website (the reporter was Stacy Butler) but you can keep an eye here and I expect they’ll post it: http://cbs2.com/firewatch

Everything was destroyed, except, amazingly two frescos on both sides of the main door – one of Jesus and one of Mary. (To remind yourself of that entry way, visit here: http://www.mount-calvary.org/visit.htm).

The big metal cross that was in the interior courtyard, which many of rooms faced, also remained. Everything else was heart-wrenchingly reduced to ash.

I was with a group of non-profit leaders who were on retreat at the monastery. The brothers evacuated last night shortly after us and are reportedly at St. Mary's Retreat House next to the mission.

COMMENT 16724

2008-11-14 02:30 PM

I was out at the pier, and the wind was kicking up - all from the SW heading up the mountains. From there, it looks like there is no smoke from urbanized areas, and all the smoke was from the other side of the big ridge with gibraltar road. It looked like they were fairly successful with helicopters this morning.

COMMENT 16725

2008-11-14 02:31 PM

re: sea water and helicopters

From the National Aerial Firefighting Centre of Australia:http://www.nafc.org.au/portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=3

"However, for helicopters that are equipped with bellytanks that use hover-fill pumps, or with buckets on ‘short’ lines, we do tend to prefer to use fresh water if possible. This is to avoid the chance of ingesting salt into the turbine engines, and into some particular parts of the airframe that are susceptible to corrosion – all of which requires substantial extra maintenance at the end of the day. However, in an emergency, any suitable water supply will be used, including sea water, and the extra maintenance will be undertaken."

COMMENT 16726

2008-11-14 02:33 PM

During the Gaviota Fire a few years back they definitely used ocean water. I watched them pulling it out of the sea.

COMMENT 16727

2008-11-14 02:36 PM

I can't imagine the helicopter crews would choose our precious freshwater over sea water to save our city just because it's difficult to re-grow vegetation in salty soil.

COMMENT 16728

2008-11-14 02:40 PM

Can clearly see the water bombers hitting the northeast corner of the fire from downtown. There's no more smoke visible anywhere behind the Riviera, at least from where I saw it (roughly State & Sola).

COMMENT 16729

2008-11-14 02:41 PM

My family lives in the canyon just past the reservoir that the helicopters are getting their water from. We are preparing to evacuate our home and animals should the fire move westward. However, getting to and from our homes is difficult when lookie-loos come up here to watch the helicopters. The extra cars and people block an already narrow, winding road and restrict access for residents.

COMMENT 16730

2008-11-14 02:54 PM

It's possible that growing back the vegetation quickly is important because the winter/spring rains could cause serious mudslides if there the hillsides are bare. Just a thought... After the Gap Fire they dropped something (forget exactly what it was) to replenish the land.

But it's a good question. I would also like to know why they need to use freshwater over saltwater.

As of about 1:35 p.m., according to The Indy’s Ethan Stewart, most houses from the 600 to 1000 block of Coyote Road are completely burned. Although 820, 870, and 890 Coyote Road are standing (but heavily damaged), 840 and 880 are completely burned.

COMMENT 16733

2008-11-14 02:59 PM

Dirtgirl, last night you said they were dumping water on Cedar Lane via helicopter. How did the homes on that street do? We have a friend evacuated from that area last night and they don't know if they will have a home to go back to. So far all information that we have looked at looks like there were no fires in the area.

COMMENT 16734

2008-11-14 03:00 PM

Recently updated Google maps are showing a new flareup on Las Tunas, near the very top of the road where it ends at the field above Franceschi Park. This is very close to my parents' home on the other side of that field. Does anyone know anything about what's going on at Las Tunas? Thanks for all of your updates-- I'm on the east coast and feeling very helpless from so far away.

COMMENT 16735

2008-11-14 03:04 PM

I'm about 1/2 mile below Las Tunas. There is lots of air activity but we have not had any emergency vehicles coming thru. Last nite we had bullhorns w/ mandatory evac notice on the road above us/ APS

COMMENT 16736

2008-11-14 03:07 PM

Advocate - I don't know...I was just reporting as the news station was broadcasting it.

COMMENT 16737

2008-11-14 03:14 PM

Are you using Google Earth or GMaps? I would like to check Las Tunas

COMMENT 16738

2008-11-14 03:29 PM

Don't panic re: the new hotspots reported at Las Tunas, Rubio, etc. on the Google map - they are not "real". Read the "Comments" section of the Google map, those hotspots were added because they showed up on the Cal Fire imaging map used as the basis for the Google map. However, the Cal Fire map was published at 9 this morning - so the data is hours old.

When viewed by eye, there are no fires or smoke visible in the Las Tunas or Rubio Rd. locations. I think it's just a mixup with old data being presented as new.

COMMENT 16741

2008-11-14 03:32 PM

Channel 9 has coverage right now

COMMENT 16742

2008-11-14 03:34 PM

I have heard that at the top of Las Alturas, some of the houses are gone and some are ok. It doesn't seem like there are any active fires in that immediate area right now... can anyone confirm that?

COMMENT 16743

2008-11-14 03:34 PM

Does anyone have any information about the Las Canoas Rd. area between 192 and Skofield Park??

COMMENT 16744

2008-11-14 03:35 PM

Coverage is over. It was totally dramatized Inside Edition style.

COMMENT 16745

2008-11-14 03:38 PM

From my view across downtown, there are no current fires burning on this side of the riviera

COMMENT 16746

2008-11-14 03:38 PM

There are planes that have been built to scoop sea water for use in fires, but we don't use them. When you dump sea water on hillsides like these, you make it impossible for any vegetation to regrow. Sure, you put out the fire, but the next time it rains, all of the houses that weren't destroyed by the fire get swept away by mudslides.

COMMENT 16747

2008-11-14 03:42 PM

Airplanes still leaving from here (I'm near SMX)

COMMENT 16748

2008-11-14 03:43 PM

just saw St. Mary's Seminary on the cbs live feed. Looks ok.

COMMENT 16749

2008-11-14 03:44 PM

Katiebw, I have friends at the top of Las Alturas that lost their home. If you look up and see the large pale yellow mansion, it's right across the street from that house. On the back side.

I was just down at West Beach and had a clear view of the fire. There are some hot spots Above the Tea Gardens. This is on west side of Cold Springs cyn. Most of the fresh smoke seems to be coming out of Cold springs. It's amazing how much area burned.

COMMENT 16750

2008-11-14 03:47 PM

Thanks re: info on Las Tunas. It gets really confusing when they are running the same information for hours on end and you don't see how old the info is

COMMENT 16751

2008-11-14 03:50 PM

The 4:00 press conference is coming up on channel 18

COMMENT 16752

2008-11-14 03:54 PM

I was decided to go up to the back of the mesa with some binoculars about an hour ago to try and see how it was looking. The western front looks like it has calmed down quite a bit, except for some fire going up rattlesnake canyon. St. Mary's looked fine to me, but there was burn area all around it. The largest part of the fire was going up cold springs trail it appeared. All the mountain side from cold springs over to Gibraltar was completely burned.

REMARKER

2008-11-14 03:57 PM

At 3:30 PM, I got a glimpse of about three bulldozers and a string of firetrucks and fire crews going up 154. There are sirens heading up the Pass now. Has the fire spread westward?

COMMENT 16754

2008-11-14 03:58 PM

REMARKER - ditto on the racing fire trucks up the pass with sirens on - no idea what is going on.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 04:02 PM

keyt live with news conference

COMMENT 16756

2008-11-14 04:03 PM

arcreage downsized to 1500 at news conference...homes lost range now 100 - 200

I would be grateful for information on houses on Chelham Way as I have friends who live there. Thank you.

COMMENT 16759

2008-11-14 04:08 PM

Re: Chelham, I haven't heard anything about it but it backs up to a creek opposite Westmont Rd. Homes definitely burned on Westmont.

COMMENT 16760

2008-11-14 04:09 PM

Western border Las Canoas Southern near APS (I missed other boarders). All boarders are "pretty quiet".

COMMENT 16762

2008-11-14 04:12 PM

I don't have specific info for Chelham way, but Westmont rd(one street west) suffered tremendous damage. Also, Cheltenham rd is fine from what i saw.

Cheltenham in west of mission canyon, and Chelham is between coyote and cold springs incase anyone was getting them mixed up.

COMMENT 16763

2008-11-14 04:12 PM

katiebw I was just at the top of las alturas 15 min ago. Couple areas smoking but no active fire. Some houses burned, some saved. News agency broadcasting from inside burned foundation. Sorry can't confirm addresses.

COMMENT 16764

2008-11-14 04:12 PM

weather has been cooperative today but tonight gusts up to 40 mph still expected.. size did not change today .. per Tom Franklin, county fire acting chief. Containment still zt 0 percent.

COMMENT 16765

2008-11-14 04:16 PM

Why, do you think, are they moving base camp to Live Oak?

COMMENT 16766

2008-11-14 04:18 PM

Does anyone have information on the houses on Rancho Hacien? - small street off of W. Mountain Drive just prior to the intersection with Hillcrest Road.

as always, many thanks to those of you posting information.

COMMENT 16768

2008-11-14 04:19 PM

Officials estimating it will be 24 to 36 hours before they can complete damage assessments and get people back into the area to see their homes..from press conference.

COMMENT 16769

2008-11-14 04:23 PM

thanks sarahbacon... you wouldn't know what news agency was there would you?

COMMENT 16770

2008-11-14 04:24 PM

IMABOO2,They just said during the Press Conference that it's due to a horse show that is scheduled at Earl Warren that they are moving out of Earl Warren.

COMMENT 16771

2008-11-14 04:25 PM

potential associated fatality was a 98 year old man from the Circle Drive area who was evacuated to a hotel and then died, Sheriff Bill Brown says.

COMMENT 16772

2008-11-14 04:26 PM

Thanks HIL - seems so far away though ...

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 04:27 PM

P3 tankers doing tag team, with choppers in between. Just saw a P3 drop in a live video cutaway on keyt's news conference coverage, then saw it flying over the ridge westbound. Not five minutes later I just saw one cross the ridge headed East toward the fire, and now it's on another cutaway. Looks like they're going all out trying to knock the fire down before dark. Go guys!!

COMMENT 16774

2008-11-14 04:30 PM

May the 98 year old man rest in peace. :(

COMMENT 16775

2008-11-14 04:32 PM

it was kcal 9 shooting around 3:45 from a foundation at the top of las alturas

COMMENT 16776

2008-11-14 04:36 PM

Brad Elliot has posted pictures on Westmont's website of some of the damage incurred there.

http://www.westmont.edu/teafire/pictures.html

COMMENT 16777

2008-11-14 04:36 PM

I keep hearing about reservoirs being low so they can't get water....is that for the helicopters, or the ground units/hoses? the helicopters have been filling up all day long at the laurel reservoir, and it looks as full as it normally is, plus its constantly fed by cachuma.

COMMENT 16778

2008-11-14 04:38 PM

IMABOO2, ("Why, do you think, are they moving base camp to Live Oak?")

I think they're moving because Earl Warren has other bookings, a horse show, I think.

COMMENT 16779

2008-11-14 04:40 PM

Does anyone know if homes that were not burned last night are being threatened by fire right now? Or is the fire mainly consuming vegetation in the canyons?

It's hard to know what information is old and what information is new.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-14 04:40 PM

I flew over Cachuma and the first two reservoirs to the East a week ago, and all three looked close to full. My guess is that any water shortage has to do with that pumping station power loss mentioned in the press conference just now.

COMMENT 16781

2008-11-14 04:48 PM

ktyd is saying that it may be a good idea to boil water within the evacuation area (although there shouldn't be anyone there...), but I would think that the city's water in general will not be as clean as normal, so it may be a good idea for everyone...

COMMENT 16782

2008-11-14 04:54 PM

Everyone should have emergency water for times like these.

COMMENT 16783

2008-11-14 04:57 PM

new map up at county showing fire perimeter https://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedImages/ceo/oes/EvacAreasWeb_111408_11x17_updatev2.jpg

COMMENT 16784

2008-11-14 06:02 PM

I am deeply upset for the peril and the anguish under which you have all been placed during these past days and nights. My thoughts are with you all from Australia and I hope your beautiful area enters recovery mode and back to normal as soon as possible. Good luck be with you all.

COMMENT 16786

2008-11-14 06:18 PM

First off thank you to everyone for posting I'm out of town and trying to find any info I can.Does anyone know if the spot on Las Tunas is going it now shows a ? mark on the google map thats right by my mom's house and Im worried

COMMENT 16787

2008-11-14 06:47 PM

Does anyone know if 1050 Coyote Road was burnt down? It's the former home of a (now deceased) friend of mine, Kit Tremaine. She built it. Her friends helped her build it by hand-making each adobe brick of the building. It was beautiful. I don't know who the current owner is. She passed away several years ago. She did a lot of good in our community, especially for those without voices.

COMMENT 16788

2008-11-14 06:48 PM

Took a few photos today at 2-3PM around the El Cielito/Mountain Drive/Parma Park & upper Las Alturas areas. Not comprehensive by any means, but might be useful: http://tinyurl.com/697d5b

COMMENT 16789

2008-11-14 07:03 PM

Corrected donation information:

On Saturday, November 15th, the Unity Shop in Santa Barbara will be accepting clothing and household item donations for those affected by the Tea Fire. If you wish to make a donation, please call the Red Cross at 805/687-1331. Do not bring items directly to either the Unity Shoppe or the American Red Cross unless so advised by the Red Cross. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

COMMENT 16790

2008-11-14 07:04 PM

GD, I've read stories about Kit and I share your concern. I have a friend (Stella) that lived in the 500 block of Coyote road and I wonder about the fate of her house. Both Kit and Stella passed away some years ago. But I would like to know what happened to their homes.

COMMENT 16791

2008-11-14 07:36 PM

GD and Dan39,I am wondering about 1050 also. I am Kit's only brown haired and eyed grandchild. I am in nyc and don't have any info. Her house was sold to a celebrity and some articles have mentioned that it was damaged or burned in the fire. It was a great house. I have pictures of when it was being built.

COMMENT 16792

2008-11-14 07:55 PM

RE: Kit Tremaine's house.

I seem to remember that actor Christopher Lloyd bought that house. It has been reported that Lloyd's house has burned down

COMMENT 16793

2008-11-14 07:56 PM

SARAHBACON-thanks for sharing the photos...those streets are the ones we ride and run on everyday...i live off tunnel road, but it seems these are too close for comfort. how did you get up there? i thought there are polica blocks everywhere.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 08:14 PM

Re: Kit Tremaine's house. I did some Googling. Christopher Lloyd put it on the market last year. It's listed for sale with Lara Logue, phone no. 805-450-5747. Her Web site is www.LaraLogue.com. Good luck.

COMMENT 16796

2008-11-14 08:32 PM

Thanks everyone, for the Kit Tremaine feedback on her house. It was built with so much love, for her and the indigenous and homeless people It would have been nice for her house to survive the things that were sure to happen. She knew it. It's just so sad. I loved her so much. She was a New Orleans Queen, born into wealth, who changed her whole life and started the Sunflower Foundation (funding underdogs) like the homeless.

I met her through a co-counseling group. We both were into supporting Native Americans Indiginous Rights.

Ahhh. A human treasure lost, Her house now ending up in the way the people (Hopi/Naajo) predicted would happen. Except she was one of the few that spoke for them. May she rest in peace. Along with Hopi Elder Thomas Banyacya.

COMMENT 16797

2008-11-14 08:44 PM

We live in Ashland, Oregon. My wife's parents (93 and 87 years old) live on Chase Drive, off Barker Pass Rd. They were evacuated last night, and we're wondering how things sit at this hour. The map site given by IMABOO2 at 4:57 today shows the fire perimeter down in Sycamore Canyon below Chase Drive. We're hoping that its been contained there, but fear the wind, knowing it wouldn't take much to send the fire up the fuel-laden hill. Can someone please tell us if the wind is blowing again and whether the fire has already climbed the hill. Thanks, jb

COMMENT 16798

2008-11-14 08:47 PM

I'm a life long SB resident currently living in Ohio, but all of my family remains in SB. I've been worried all day long about the return of the sundowner winds this evening, but so far I have not seen any news updates for several hours. Did the winds return? If so did the fire pick up or are things looking okay right now? Stay safe everyone.

COMMENT 16799

2008-11-14 08:48 PM

if anyone is trying to save their house right now and want me to help them I'm volunteering myself. I am 15 years old and have been trained with the FD as a Community Emergency Response Team member. so get me a ride there and i will help so clear brush or whatever

COMMENT 16800

2008-11-14 08:59 PM

I see the updates are no longer coming fast and furious, and I also see that some people who don't live here are worried. All I know is that from my vantage point, I see no smoke and no flame. Last night there was a wall of flame - tonite nothing that I can see. The sky is clear and there is no wind. It is much cooler than it was last night. Perhaps no news is good news. I don't even hear any helicopters tonite. And as far as I know, Barker Pass area is in good shape, as I've been looking for info on that particular area myself.

COMMENT 16801

2008-11-14 09:02 PM

JTrout and SBinOhio - so far the winds are nothing like they were last nite and they aren't the "sundowners" that were feared. Fire hasn't moved much today, last I heard. Hoping for the best.

COMMENT 16802

2008-11-14 09:05 PM

Does anyone know if 1960 Sycamore Canyon Rd has burnt down? This is my childhood home and I now live in Colorado. It is very difficult to get detailed info from here. I am so sorry for all of you having to live through this! My prayers are with you.

COMMENT 16803

2008-11-14 09:08 PM

Hi All

I can second the info that we are in MUCH better shape tonite. I went to a friend's on the mesa for a few hours and on the way down I could see no flames at all anywhere. Last nite the entire ridge line from Montecito into SB was pure flames. I live one street below APS which is mandatory evac. Tonite it is very calm vs last nite. Last nite we had choppers buzzing the neighborhood that made the windows shake all nite long. It was veyry eerie. I am feeling very calm tonite. There is virtually no wind and I know we have had massive resources all day. They obviously made huge headway today and Mother Nature has given us a break. I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief!

COMMENT 16804

2008-11-14 09:11 PM

Call me a hopeless romantic but I just saw the Wizard of Oz is onTBS, chan 7 on COX.

There's no place like home. . .

COMMENT 16805

2008-11-14 09:12 PM

Re: Sycamore Cyn- they have confirmed very little in terms of what has burned. Multiple homes have burned on E. Mountain Dr., Coyote and Las Alturas. I do not think the fire came all the way down Sycamore Cyn. It climbed from that canyon up to Conejo and Las Alturas onto the Riviera.

COMMENT 16806

2008-11-14 09:15 PM

Rivieragirl - are you ok? Are you in SD or SB

COMMENT 16807

2008-11-14 09:18 PM

nevermind rivieragirl - I read on down.

Any news on 447 Conejo Lane. Middle of the block, I know most of my neighbors homes have burned, I wonder about mine.

Thanks

COMMENT 16808

2008-11-14 09:22 PM

SBGAL - look at the posting at 11:57 am today. It has a picture of Conejo. Looks like most, if not all, the houses burned. My friend lives at 331 Conejo and his house burned.

COMMENT 16809

2008-11-14 09:23 PM

This is so frustrating to so many. The details just dropped off the planet. All we hear are tidbits from people like us, nothing in the media. I do know that several homes were lost on Circle Drive, which is off Westmont Road. Weather continues to be cool, almost chilly right now, no wind, no smoke, no "glow" visible. I would hope at some point we'll get a rundown of the actual streets and what was affected.

COMMENT 16810

2008-11-14 09:28 PM

I'm in SB right now. I'm about 2 blocks below the Rose Garden and just next to Pedregosa. It's very calm here. I can hear virtually no air traffic. I think we are OK.

COMMENT 16811

2008-11-14 09:32 PM

Hi Perfection! I know the feeling. I was here in town last year when my condo was evac'd during the San Diego fire. I was feeding info to my neighbors via the web because the news played the same footage of the same structure burning for about two days. The only real news comes off of the blogs.

Last year I had some ideas of how we could structure better communication. It looks like it might take a round table to propose it. People have no idea how hard it is to get real info when you are in the midst of it. We have the technology to change this.

COMMENT 16812

2008-11-14 09:34 PM

Perfection- more than a few homes were lost on Westmont. I used to live on Westmont and I'm curious as well.

COMMENT 16814

2008-11-14 09:38 PM

Yep, I'm with you there. We went round and round with this discussion after the Gap Fire, and Edhat did a wonderful job of getting the community together to try to change things. And I have to say that when this began last night, I felt there were improvements. Certainly better than this past summer, but not good enough. If it's not a pending disaster, they have nothing to say. Even the Montecito Fire website isn't updated. Their map is from 4:00 AM this morning. Just because we're not all ready to run to the ocean doesn't mean we don't need to know exactly what is going on. And for the people who don't live here, it's even worse because they can't get answers to their questions.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 09:44 PM

http://www.sbfirewatch.org/ is a new Web site. Don't know much about it but the information is being updated with time stamps. And it also has that great fire-evacuation map.

COMMENT 16816

2008-11-14 09:57 PM

I don't know at this point-but this afternoon it looked like Chase Dr. and Cedar Lane were safe from the fire. My friend who lives very close to there was at work and couldn't go home to save her pets last night-by the time she knew about the fire the road was closed. Today Animal Rescue went up there early in the afternoon and rescued all 3 of her pets and brought them to her. (A Big Thanks To Those Who Do This For People!!)

There is a really good map that was mentioned by POPE last night (which seems to be updated every half an hour or so) where you can track the fire information pretty accurately . It's the best I've seen. Here is the link again:

Edhat really is the answer. (This is a side note to the losses on coyote road.)

I hate to be negative but KEYT brought this upon themselves.

As was reported before, this morning KEYT said the fire was burning for 25 hours when it was more like 12. And then at 5:00 tonight Tracy Lehr said the fire was close to being as bad as the Painted Cave fire. No, that fire had close to 500 homes lost. This fire is 100+. But as Mayor Blum said, what does it matter. Any loss of a home is a huge loss.

Dan

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 10:05 PM

That great map and additional info can also be found at these two Web sites (easier to copy and paste):

http://www.sbfirewatch.org/

http://crisiswire.com/2008/11/santa-barbara-fires

COMMENT 16819

2008-11-14 10:13 PM

Noletagirl - Thanks. We did see that picture unfortunately it's not clear enough to see if our house burned. I can tell that the 3 houses to my left are intact and and everything to my right, just can't tell mine :(

COMMENT 16820

2008-11-14 10:14 PM

2008-11-14 10:13 PM Noletagirl - Thanks. We did see that picture unfortunately it's not clear enough to see if our house burned. I can tell that the 3 houses to my left are intact and and everything to my right is gone, just can't tell if mine is or not :(

COMMENT 16821

2008-11-14 10:21 PM

447 Conejo Lane - I looked on Zillow.com (a real-estate site with fairly accurate address maps), and it appears that this house has a fairly flat black or dark roof. On top of the roof, there appears to be either a second story or some other smaller rectangle on top that causes a shadow. It is inset quite a bit.

The image on Zillow.com is a bit washed out, so I cross-referenced it with Google Earth. It appears that houses to its immediate north are light-grey or beige roof, then a medium blue or grey roof, then a reddish roof. The house with a medium blue roof is canted at an angle between the grey roof and the reddish roof. The medium blue roof points more easterly than the other houses.

Microsoft Virtual Earth (pictures from an airplane instead of satellite) agrees, except 447 becomes a dark grey roof, just north of that is beige, the canted house is medium grey, and the house north of that still has a redish-tinged roof.

Looking on the photo of destruction provided by the LATimes (in the links below), of the surviving houses, I see a reddish roof, then a medium blue roof that is canted more to the east, then a grey roof. I blew up the photo a bit, but I unfortunately do not see the dark roof with a possibly inset second story. The photo suggests that this house (and all houses south of it) might be gone. In fact, the three houses mentioned above, plus maybe one more a bit north of them, seem to be the only things left standing in that neighborhood.

I hope I am not right about this, or that Zillow has an address error. Sorry for your loss if not.

COMMENT 16822

2008-11-14 10:23 PM

This is an interesting site, which shows satellite thermal images of the fires (though this map is 12 hours old). When you scroll over each hotspot, it gives you the exact Longitude and Latitude of the fire.

I then went to this website to determine the exact Longitude and Latitude of the houses I'm concerned about: http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer

Type in your zip code. To zoom in on a location, you have to re-select "zoom in" each time.

Having said all that, I feel a little distrustful that I'm getting the exact Longitudes and Latitudes from both of these sites -- perhaps someone with more knowledge could test it and comment.

COMMENT 16823

2008-11-14 10:23 PM

As sad as it is to lose homes, this fire was not nearly as devastating as the Painted Cave fire -- one I lived through as my family's house was lost.

That fire destroyed over 500 structures and took one woman's life. The weather was over 100 degrees that day (June 1990) and we had a terrible drought, due to the El Nino condition that had lasted for years. In addition, we also had massive sundowner winds.

Plus, there were no major firefighter resources in Santa Barbara at the time because they were deployed fighting other fires in Ventura and southern California.

This fire does not compare. But I do feel sooo sorry and sad for people who lost their homes. All I can say, from experience, is to look forward, rebuild and go on.

You will see your neighborhoods change, most likely, because most people tend to build bigger homes.

COMMENT 16825

2008-11-14 10:29 PM

Waterboy174 - You are amazing and the world needs more individuals such as yourself. Lots of love coming your way along with those who have lost homes.

Thankfully the winds have been calm all day and night long and I cannot see any fire perimeter from the side of the mesa. Lets hope this holds true and our brave firefighters can wrap things up tomorrow.

COMMENT 16826

2008-11-14 10:33 PM

One other thing about the Painted Cave fire -- there was NO time to evacuate. There was no sheriff coming to doors and telling people to pack up, no reverse-911 calls, no chance to get precious belonging out. It was fast and over quickly. It jumped the freeway (101) and burned a large portion of Santa Barbara -- from the mountains of Painted Cave all the way through Modoc. People had no way to contact one another as there were no cell phones at the time and of course, no internet. Totally different scenario.

EDONE

2008-11-14 10:34 PM

Dan Seibert posted some picture of the Tea Garden that he took last March.

COMMENT 16828

2008-11-14 10:36 PM

However, as it was shown last night, you can't rely on your cell phone connection. Please have a meeting place with a friend or a loved ones where you and you loved ones can meet up at that are at various locations around town. Also, it's good to have a mutual friend out of town that can be used as a contact.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 10:36 PM

What's the story of the Tea Garden? I tried to find some info online but was unsuccessful.

COMMENT 16830

2008-11-14 10:39 PM

The tea gardens look like the prime location for some shenanigans.

COMMENT 16831

2008-11-14 10:40 PM

Thanks for the pictures of the Tea Garden, Dan! Now I finally understand what exactly the Tea Garden looks like and why the fire is named for it. These pictures tell us a big part of the story. Thanks for finding and sharing this with us.

Last update: 11:24 a.m. EST Nov. 14, 2008SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Nov 14, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- The U-Haul Company of Van Nuys is offering 30 days of free storage to Tea Fire victims and families who need to move their belongings away from the areas affected by the recent fire.In addition to the 30-days-free self-storage assistance being offered, families needing boxes can take advantage of the U-Haul Take a Box, Leave a Box Program. The program enables customers to return their reusable boxes and allows others to take them as needed - FREE. U-Haul encourages anyone who has any type of reusable box to drop it off at the nearest U-Haul location and allow another family to reuse the box, free of charge, instead of throwing the reusable box into the recycling bin.Families needing more information about the 30-days-free self-storage assistance program should contact the following storage facility.

Although we can't see any evidence of fire movement on the north flank, a neighbor just came by to tell me that they are now evacuating near the mission. I will check news sources now to see if it's true. This are was previously under the evacuation warning, not the order.

COMMENT 16835

2008-11-14 10:52 PM

According to the county of SB site, the evacuation area is still above the 192 and not near the mission:

http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/oes0.aspx?id=2332#Evacuation_Orders

COMMENT 16838

2008-11-14 11:47 PM

Many locals know of this place. And you can hear many different stories about the area.

This is my version, and I welcome any others. . .

The Tea Gardens have a rich history. They were built back around 1918 or so. I'm not sure but I've seen photos from Montecito Magazine of a Model T Ford parked at the top. There were a series of waterworks on the property and the people that owned the property would host parties at the top. Hence the name Tea gardens.

The first time I saw it was in 1978 and it was completely overgrown. Hard to get to but worth the view. It was also a favorite hangout for skateboarders at that time, so the owners destroyed some of the "bowls" to discourage trespassers.

It didn't matter. The area has a magical attraction to anyone who has been there. My friends and I loved to walk up through the ruins and just spend time in an area of days gone by.

JAZZEE

2008-11-14 11:52 PM

Wow. Thank you, Dan for the photos and story on the Tea Gardens. I've lived here 20 years and I'm still discovering the wonders of the South Coast.

COMMENT 16840

2008-11-15 12:33 AM

Here are some pictures from Las Alturas and around town, they may help those who are out of town and wondering about their property here. http://web.me.com/haisly/Tea_Fire/Tea_Fire.html

COMMENT 16841

2008-11-15 12:57 AM

Here is a bit of information on the "Tea Gardens". (Actually called Mar y Cel). It was part of an historic estate that has an amazing story.

http://www.sbphototours.com/data/static/georgelogan/marycel.php

JAZZEE

2008-11-15 01:42 AM

Thank you, Wendem. Santa Barbara has such a rich, intriguing history, way beyond what civic leaders tout for the tourists.

COMMENT 16843

2008-11-15 04:03 AM

Humor: The Fark boyz are crappin on grizzlehizzle's google map graphics, completely misunderstanding what that link from within the Independent is all about and that the icon choices are slim. Although you have to admit, when it is all scrunched up like that, it is pretty incomprehensible.

Scroll down thru the three pages - some of the photoshops of the map are pretty funny.

COMMENT 16844

2008-11-15 05:55 AM

Goletacrank - Ya, that's about what I see. We had a dark roof with an inset 2nd story. The aeriel view over our house is looked different last night for some reason (exhaustion maybe?!?!) I can see it aore clearly this morning and it definately looks gone. It looks like the garage walls are still standing, that's about it.

Thanks so much.

COMMENT 16845

2008-11-15 06:33 AM

Here is an idea: the city/county should have the Google street view team come down and drive the area with police escort.

I bet they would donate the service. Then people would me able to tour the Neighborhoods virtually.

-P

COMMENT 16846

2008-11-15 06:41 AM

Anyone know what the dark plume is?

COMMENT 16848

2008-11-15 07:59 AM

Firefighters used Earl Warren Showgrounds as a temporary base camp on Friday until moving to more permanent and better quarters at Live Oak Camp (off 154 near Rancho San Marcos Golf Course). Live Oak has permanent hot showers, restrooms and kitchen facilities that comfortably accomodate fire personnel (vs. the hard parking lot at Earl Warren Showground where I encountered sleeping firefighters yesterday. See this link for description.http://www.sbparks.org/Scripts/ParksDetail.asp?ParkID=9

And YES, there is a horse show going on this weekend at Earl Warren, it is the first-ever Trail Blazer Festival and it is open to the public. All firefighters and their family are being given FREE admission. (And children under 12 are FREE as well). The Festival runs through Sunday at 5:00pm. For details: www.trailblazerfestival.us

COMMENT 16849

2008-11-15 08:13 AM

Thank you "EDDICTED" for those awesome pictures. **check out the link below*** They show a very humbling perspective of the fire. It felt like I was watching a documentary.

Being that I am out of town, this is the only place I've been able to find info. This site is a great community, thank you all for sharing your thoughts and detailed information! I wish we had a website like this in Boulder Colorado! Lots of Love, Bon Bon.

COMMENT 16850

2008-11-15 08:22 AM

"Anyone know what the dark plume is?"

Fire in Sylmar. Very much like the Monecito fire - strong winds speading it rapidly, many homes burned, thousands evacuated.

The "TFR" excluding flight over the burn area was reduced from 5 to 3 mile radius at 4am, though it still goes up to 7,000 feet and as of 8:30 water is being dropped from helicopters. I'm thinking about flying over to see if I can get decent aerial photos of the burn area to post on EdHat. Would that be helpful, or are they now letting people into the area by car so that someone can get detailed photos from the ground?

GOWEST

2008-11-15 08:48 AM

Cal Fire says,1,800 acres40% contained1,500 residences currently threatened.111 residences have been destroyed, and 9 have been damaged.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-15 08:53 AM

Airport reports calm winds and forecast is for breezes up to 8mph from the SSW. A gust could take embers upslope into the unburned area, so that's probably why I still see helicopters working the area. In case anyone's interested, I've put the new TFR map on my Photo Page.

COMMENT 16856

2008-11-15 09:15 AM

I have not been able to see what the fire has been doing since thursday night. how about an approximate map for those of us in the warning zones. It looks like it is settling down on the west end, but i do not want to make any assumptions until i find accurate info.

one would think that with all the manpower dealing with this fire, including the city officials and news teams, they could have a low payed intern whip up a map every hour with reports from the actual 1st person reports from firefighters, etc..

GOWEST

2008-11-15 09:17 AM

DBD - Yes, once again the fire department has left us in the dark. Maybe we just don't matter.

COMMENT 16858

2008-11-15 09:21 AM

Any aerial photos would be greatly appreciated!

Does anyone know when you will be able to get official confirmation on what houses have been burned?

COMMENT 16859

2008-11-15 09:53 AM

The only accurate accounts i have had of the fire, are one's i've got with my own two eyes by driving around with binoculars and looking at the fire from different parts of town.

How safe is that, everyone who could sit at home and get accurate and up to date reports now needs to drive around to get them? thats all we need, a bunch of people driving around during a fire.

Thursday night was the worse. Sitting at home listening to the radio, there were reports of at least 3 separate fires in SB and one that was a half mile from my house. talk about being in a panic. luckily i had everything packed by then and it ended up being a false report anyways.

COMMENT 16860

2008-11-15 10:00 AM

@GOWEST Right, they're keeping YOU in the dark because they don't have ANYTHING BETTER TO DO at the moment.

COMMENT 16861

2008-11-15 10:12 AM

Very good point, Manny. Not addressing the news angle, which has it's own resource limits, the folks fighting the fire are working hard around the clock.

Frankly, I'm glad that resources are being deployed in such an efficient way. Fire departments know their stuff and having been doing an exemplary job. I do not believe that anyone is trying to keep us in the dark.

WAHINE

2008-11-15 10:19 AM

I just came from breakfast and there were several firefighters there getting take out. They said the fire has basically "not grown" since yesterday. They are optimistic that all they will be doing now is "mopping up." As long as the winds remain calm, which is what is predicted for our area, then the situation looks good. Some crew and equipment had to go to the Sylmar fire, and these guys weren't pleased with that, yet it had to be done. We are not out of the woods, but the view is much improved!

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-15 10:49 AM

Looks like more than one fire going in the LA area right now. The low-res NOAA fire satellite images are updated every half hour, and the white spots in Infrared and Reflectivity show large fires.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-15 10:51 AM

We could be in for some thick smoke later, judging by the plume going offshore from the LA fire that's clear in the visible NOAA fire sat image. Winds are predicted to come from the SSW, which would blow all that stuff onshore to us along with lingering haze from our own fire.

COMMENT 16865

2008-11-15 11:06 AM

Great update Wahine! There are still some helicopters doing water drops but we haven't seen any new smoke on the downtown side of the fire since around sundown yesterday.

Another news conference-announcement is today (Saturday) at 2 pm, no doubt to highlight the news release at 11 am today, which indicated that some of the evacuations are lifted.

KCSB radio 91.9FM and www.KCSB.org will have the audio live of that news conference.

COMMENT 16874

2008-11-15 12:20 PM

I believe that there are County folks who are paid good money to inform the public about the fire. If not, we should hire one or look for volunteers.

COMMENT 16875

2008-11-15 12:27 PM

Oh great!

Another news conference where we can hear the politicians praise everyone involved!

And we can hear from someone representing each and every one of the 600 agencies involved. If this is some kind of unified command, wouldn't it be better if just one person spoke for all of them?

And that someone could be someone who might actually tell us something other than the fact that the we should clear our brush or get battery powered radios?

Thank god for Edhat. I learned more about the fire from someone who ran into a fire fighter at a coffee shop than I have from the officials involved.

COMMENT 16876

2008-11-15 12:30 PM

Has there been any indication yet about the cause of the fire?

COMMENT 16877

2008-11-15 12:34 PM

Agreed, a primary government function in these situations is communication/disemination of information. They did so with evac areas/road closures/water pressure issue, but that was about it. Many of the county announcements treat the public as children: If it's smoky close your windows, if smoke affects your breathing stay inside... like I need anyone to tell me these things. Apparently the various agencies work together efficiently (kudos for that), but there needs to be a data loop back to the public.

COMMENT 16878

2008-11-15 12:35 PM

I just heard on KTYD that the county made a mistake. The evacuation orders have not been lifted. All existing orders are still enforced (12:33 pm 11-15).

EDONE

2008-11-15 12:44 PM

The press release for the new evacuation areas is still on the County website.

It is the 11:00 press release.

The boundaries have changed ... not all people can go back home, just some of them.

COMMENT 16881

2008-11-15 12:48 PM

As of 12:45 PM KTYD says evacuation 'orders' have not been lifted. All evacuation 'warnings' have been lifted. Before you head home you may want to call their hotline for clarification.

COMMENT 16882

2008-11-15 12:54 PM

Yes, Numbers, the County treats us like little kids. They want us to sit still and evacuate them we are told.

EDONE

2008-11-15 12:58 PM

The County website now shows the new evacuation areas.

COMMENT 16884

2008-11-15 01:15 PM

New info comes out when it is available. They are not trying to keep anyone in the dark.Although I do feel that there needs to be a more streamlined and centralized way to keep the public informed.A friend of mine who is a SB firefighter just came back from 36 hours on the fire and stressed how important it is to keep the roads clear because there are still emergency crews up there working on the smoldering debris which still poses a threat if not handled properly. The roads are very narrow in the burn area.It is important to stay out of the area and not go out to "check it out". He reported of people driving recklessly and coming close to crashing into fire trucks.Safety is still an issue!If your nieghborhood has had the evacuation order lifted, then you can go back. Even though it's hard, everyone needs to be patient.

EDONE

2008-11-15 01:31 PM

It is a little confusing. It looks like all WARNINGS have been canceled. The MANDATORY evacuation area has been reduced to the new areas described in the last press release.

Someone correct us if we are wrong.

COMMENT 16888

2008-11-15 01:37 PM

At 1:25 PM KTYD said there were wrong, and that the press release is correct. Sorry to introduce confusion to the board. The press release is correct.

COMMENT 16889

2008-11-15 01:49 PM

EDONE is interpreting correctly, sources say.

After their latest news release at 1100 today, the email below went out, which is ambiguous but expert sources believe hat the real meaning is that the lifting of some Evacuation orders from the announcement at 1100 (notice no. 004) still applies, and that notice was a file attached to that email. The new message is that the areas that have been under a Warning status no longer were under that status.

To add to the ambiguity, the email refers to a notice no. 005 (which is just an announcement that the news release is happening at 2 pm), but that email attached notice no. 004, which we all think still is the latest status of the areas still under Evacuation Order (seems like a much smaller area now).

I spoke to some LA County firemen who were sitting at the Mission (they had a flat tire). I asked why they were still dropping so much water on the back side of the Riviera and they said they are "pounding the interiors" of perimeters they had sealed. They said they hesitate to talk about containment because if the winds pick up they could have a nightmare on their hands again.

I live just below APS and just took a walk up on Mission Ridge and Franchesi loop. They had just opened the area as of around 11:00am.

Views toward E. Mountain Dr. are heartbreaking!

COMMENT 16892

2008-11-15 02:04 PM

I have 2:02 but KEYT, KTYD and KSBY are showing/broadcasting nothing...

Correction, KTYD just said that when it starts they will broadcast it.

JAZZEE

2008-11-15 02:11 PM

It's on city TV channel 18.

COMMENT 16894

2008-11-15 02:11 PM

From my experience after the Painted Cave Fire, everyone wanted to get back and see their home or their family's/friend's home. It's an natural strong instinct -- the need to know.

A better way, in our new internet world, would be to have a police officer escort someone who could video the streets and then put the video up on one of the official websites. Then they could get the word out to the media that people should view the website video, rather than coming into the fire zone. This, more than anything else, would satisfy homeowners and lookie-loos alike.

Of course, you may still have people trying to get up to their homes, but I think this would go a long way to getting the most valuable information out and keeping people out.

JAZZEE

2008-11-15 02:14 PM

City TV 18 dropped it... but it's on KEYT 3.

COMMENT 16896

2008-11-15 02:18 PM

Fire (Chief?) Prince just said they will have a list of addresses of homes destroyed after 4 pm TODAY that will be released via press release.

JAZZEE

2008-11-15 02:27 PM

What a great service Edhat is providing us.

If you'd like to become a paid subscriber, it's only $1 a week. See the link at your left.

COMMENT 16898

2008-11-15 03:02 PM

Take this for what you will but my parents live on Las Alturas in the 400 block. They are back in their home and it appears if you have valid ID and want to go back homes at the 400 block and below may have access. Homes above the 400 block - doubtful.

SB County Sherrif were just called to Westmont College for report of looters.....

COMMENT 16902

2008-11-15 03:25 PM

I live at the base of the Riviera next to Roosevelt school. A good number of fire trucks just blasted up Pedregosa and it sounds like they are up on Mission Ridge/ Las Tunas area. It sounds like there are a few up there.

BOOKLADY

2008-11-15 03:25 PM

Thanks to everyone posting here. The information is invaluable. There are a bunch of sirens downtown now. Does anyone know why?

We tried getting up to Conejo lane today. Of course we couldn't but the police went up and took pictures of my place for us. It seems that there are only 5 houses left in the entire Conejo Lane, Conejo Road, Sherman Way and Ealand area. My house is gone.

EDONE

2008-11-15 04:42 PM

Here is a map showing all the lost home locations. Click the cluster to zoom in.

COMMENT 16913

2008-11-15 04:46 PM

Here is a link to the City PIO page that has multiple links to info including parcel map of damaged properties.

http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/Resident/Safety/PIO/

COMMENT 16914

2008-11-15 04:49 PM

So sorry SB Gal! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Much peace and love!

KEVSTEELE

2008-11-15 04:57 PM

A minor point but the national media keeps focusing on Montecito, looking at the parcel map all but 5 of the lost homes are in the SB city limit?

COMMENT 16918

2008-11-15 05:00 PM

Montecito IS Santa Barbara. It is not a city separate from SB. They just think they are.

COMMENT 16919

2008-11-15 05:10 PM

PERFECTION should change handle to IMPERFECTION. Montecito is NOT A CITY, or part of the City of SB. It is in the unincorporated area of the County, except for the retail/shopping area of Coast Village Road.

The map and list that have been provided are ONLY the structures within the City limits or directly adjacent. There have been additional structures lost in the unincorporated area but the County has not released that list yet.

COMMENT 16920

2008-11-15 05:12 PM

Perfection, are you on drugs? Montecito is NOT Santa Barbara.

COMMENT 16921

2008-11-15 05:13 PM

The list is of Santa Barbara city homes -- Montecito is in the county. Has the County released a list yet? Thanks to edhat for being so on top of things!

Very sorry, SB-Gal, and all who lost. Having been in earlier fires, evacuated but not lost a house, I can only guess at the depth of the hurt.

COMMENT 16922

2008-11-15 05:19 PM

I've often thought about changing my handle to "sometimes makes mistakes," so sorry for misleading. I was not saying that Montecito is the City of Santa Barbara. I know that it is unincorporated Santa Barbara County. However, the proper postal address still says Santa Barbara, CA, not Montecito, CA. It's the same as saying that Isla Vista is not Goleta.

COMMENT 16923

2008-11-15 05:25 PM

Please pass this on to those who may need to know.. The lists of lost structures from the Tea Fire have been posted for the city and county residences.

Montecito Fire Protection District is NOT posting a list. If you live in the Montecito area and want to know the status of your property, please call the Montecito Fire District office. Montecito Fire District felt this was a more personal approach, plus they want to collect some data including contact information for the affected residents.

Montecito: 565 -8021, 565-8022, 565-8023

If you want to get info about city or unincorporated county, click below or go to the county website Press Release site and click on List of Structures Lost City, List of Structures Lost County: I have provided the links:

I flew near the burn area this evening, about 4:15 and took a TON of photos. I've just now started posting some to my Photo Page. I'll go back to doing that, so more will appear over the next hour or so and possibly more late tonight or in the morning. Also, I took along a -real- photographer with -real- camera, and he's going to let me know when his start going online so I can post a link for everyone. He might take a little longer, because his girlfriend's parents just evacuated their place in Anaheim with fire burning four houses away from theirs.

Here is a link to a gallery of high res images by Bryant Swanstrom, the real photographer with a real camera who flew along with me this evening over the burn area:http://blkswanstudios.com/teafirearea/

Just got back from the Sylmar fire down south and passed many strike teams on the 101 leaving our fire and headed down south. We were pretty much out of danger it seems when the winds were not bad last night unfortunately our neighbors to the south are suffering tonight.

COMMENT 16933

2008-11-15 07:59 PM

Bless you, John Wiley. Tremendous photos. Thank you for flying and posting.Info - just heard that Barker Pass between APS and Sycamore Canyon is now open to residents.

COMMENT 16935

2008-11-15 09:03 PM

The burned house list shows an address of 1137 Las Alturas Road. This address does not exist. Does anyone know what the number should be?

COMMENT 16937

2008-11-15 09:52 PM

KATIEBW, do you have a house on Las Alturas at Conejo? I was up there yesterday, I might be able to help you if you are wondering about a specific home. Provide some more details, my Mom was up there today too. The city list when it comes to Las Alturas is incomplete. There are also Las Alturas Pictures at http://web.me.com/haisly/Tea_Fire/Tea_Fire.html#114 that may or may not help.

COMMENT 16938

2008-11-15 10:24 PM

John Wiley, the pictures your photographer friend took are INCREDIBLE!!!!! What altitude did you have to fly to get access? Thank you for doing this and sharing!! Is it possible to give a little idea as to what is what? Or can the other fabulous Edhatters help? Now that things are gone it is hard to pick out what is where. FABULOUS JOB! Love your entries!!!

COMMENT 16940

2008-11-15 11:37 PM

I am sorry but I find the near-ecstatic oohing and ahing over the photos of this disaster to border on ghoulish and to be insensitive. With no criticism or disrespect meant to the talented photographer, this has been a tragedy for many people, a shattering and life-altering experience, and it simply is not appropriate to act treat this as entertainment. The photographs may be useful in figuring out what happened to someone's house, or that of a friend or neighbor, and to that extent, the photographer has rendered an invaluable service but to be screaming that the pictures are "INCREDIBLE!!!!!" "FABULOUS" (emphasis in original) or "Love your entries!!!" smacks of a terrible insensitivity to what has happened and the loss and suffering many of are trying to cope and deal with.

COMMENT 16941

2008-11-15 11:54 PM

@SIEGELJJA Come off it, please.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-15 11:57 PM

EDDICTED: What altitude

At first we were going to fly over the top at 7,500 but the climb was taking too long (sunlight fading fast) so I asked and because the helicopter drops were winding down ATC was able to route us lower. Several were taken at about 5,500 and the last shots were about 2,500. I think we made three passes, plus some early shots taken while we tried to climb. As I mentioned elsewhere, we only shot from the South to West due to low sun angle and haze. I'm sad that we probably missed getting clearer photos of some areas for people trying to see what's become of their neighborhoods behind police lines, and those who are following this helpful EdHat forum from out of town. Must be so difficult not knowing what's happening with your home or that of friends/loved ones.

>idea as to what is what?

Hope everyone can piece it all together. Might help to look at one of the early high photos (esp. the one showing nearly the entire burn area). Then use that to locate specific neighborhoods in later and closer photos. Neither of our cameras had GPS, and I was pretty busy flying. I just spoke with another pilot, and we're hoping to go back when the TFR is lifted and air is clear to get some more and hopefully better photos to share.

SIEGELJJA: treat this as entertainment.

Guess it's pretty upsetting to imagine that anyone would find such a tragic event entertaining in any way! My hope in taking and posting the photos, is to help people. Those directly or indirectly affected, and also those who'd like more information than has been readily available. By helping the latter to get more information, I believe there's a chance that fewer people will be tempted to drive or walk into the area. Thanks for wanting to help everyone remember that this is a very delicate time for many people.

COMMENT 16944

2008-11-16 12:06 AM

Siegeljja speaks my mind. While I can understand the need for the chronological history and stylization of pictures, I find no glamour or enthusiasm in glorifying them -- especially as I was reading the list of lost homes, knowing that some of my friends are included in this tragedy. I would hope that we as community members would primarily use this forum to guide participants to where folks can find credible, up-to-date information, ask questions searching for details on our own situations, and provide support for those who are searching for a voice-in-the-wilderness so they don't feel alone.

COMMENT 16945

2008-11-16 12:16 AM

John Wiley - I appreciate that you read, considered and understood what I was saying - your friend is obviously talented and has rendered an invaluable service - my criticism was of what I regard as inappropriate and insensitive comments of some - in tone more than in substance, given the seriousness and extent of this tragedy - no personal offense meant to Eddicted but that last SCREAMING comment just did it for me. MFB - I don't know how to respond since your dismissive comment doesn't evidence any recognition or understanding of what I said and meant - in contrast to John Wiley's.

COMMENT 16947

2008-11-16 12:36 AM

In the interest of full disclosure, our home in the 600s on Las Alturas burned to the ground together with all of the personal property and possessions accumulated over a lifetime. Tonight, my wife and I are sleeping in a strange bed with no idea where we will go from here and little more than the clothes on our backs and the few possessions we had time to throw into our car before evacuating (without the benefit of a reverse 911 call or anyone to help battle the inferno that engulfed our home). Sympathy or pity are of no interest but it is offensive and painful to hear some people react to photos of this tragic disaster as though they were cheering at a sporting event.

COMMENT 16948

2008-11-16 12:48 AM

SIEGELJJA: I'm very sad to hear about your loss. I'm sure that everyone on this forum is also very sorry for your loss. Our hearts go out to you.

I think what most people are reacting to is the valuable and highly desired level of information that the pictures provide. Please don't read into any malice here.

The posters of this forum have been very respectful and polite and this truly reflects well on our good community.

COMMENT 16949

2008-11-16 01:53 AM

Siegeljja & SB-gal, So sorry about your homes. We lost ours on Conejo Rd too.I know what you mean about John Wiley's photos; although edifying and all that, there's something too obscenely raw to me to have everyone dispassionately clucking over such an intensely personal loss. Maybe, John, you could wait to post these things until the bodies are cold. Give us a chance to see our homes and say good bye before you splash it all over the net.We haven't even been allowed in there yet. Just a thought...Maybe there is no such thing as privacy anymore.

COMMENT 16950

2008-11-16 01:58 AM

SIEGELJJA, We are neighbors and I am truly sorry for your loss. There are so many emotions involved, and we often need to blame and yell at someone. We don’t have that luxury, yet. (Won’t it be nice to know why this happened!?!) We have all been in a panic. There are no yee-haw sport events feelings here. This is a real-life crisis, yet it feels like a really bad dream that we all want to wake up from. We can’t say much for the local media providing us with up to date, minute-to-minute information, although we faithfully follow them. However, we can say a lot for those who have been posting on Edhat. My hat goes off to everyone. (A bad pun, but so worth it.)

The people posting on here are the same as you; EVERYONE WANTS MORE INFORMATION!!! THE COMMUNITY’S BEST INTEREST IS AT HEART.

For John Wiley to get in his plane and fly to take pictures to share with you, the homeowner, and all the other people who weren’t getting what they needed form the proper media outlets, was a major, and I assume expensive, undertaking. I am sorry if my comments of awe upset you. I am blown away by the lengths that our fellow Santa Barbarians will go to for each other. Our home is on the same street as yours, and we were so desperate to know how it was, we looked in to chartering a helicopter. They were not allowed to fly at an altitude that would have been beneficial to know what happened to our home. That is why the awe and astonishment of Wiley’s pictures. I wanted to know the elevation. I was curious how they got such great detail with the restrictions. The pictures are incredible, and breathtaking, not in a good way, they are real. That is what we needed. We have all experienced great loss, directly or indirectly. What if this mother swept through in the middle of the night? This is similar to a silent but violent earthquake that can level us with no warning, but it came as a forest fire. There are few people that I know of, that knew this was coming, and had time to rationally grab anything. Unlike a quake, I guess there was some warning, at the very least a flame coming at you. My heart goes out to those on Mountain Drive that didn’t have time to even grab all of their pets or any of their belongings. Big hugs to you SiEGELJJA and we will help you in anyway we can. This community rallies!!!! I am proud to be part of it!!!!! We will keep sharing our comments, pictures, and informing each other of the good and bad. Please, keep us updated on how you are doing and don’t hesitate to ask for anything. P.S. I would have sent this sooner, however, my Internet decided to be out. The last thing I saw was your posting. This might be old news, but I am going to post anyway.

COMMENT 16951

2008-11-16 05:19 AM

John has provided the communinity with a great resource. His aerial photos have allowed us to determine that our family's home of over 30 years was spared - still in the mandatory evacuation area. We are sadened by the immense loss of our neighbors and friends. Thank you to edhat posters for all the information and photos. Thank you to the firemen, emergency workers, and utility personel.

EDONE

2008-11-16 07:28 AM

SIEGELJJA -

Sorry for your loss. If you need any help, I am sure there are many people reading this who would drop everything to assist you.

And, if there is any way Edhat can help by posting things, emailing info to the community, or finding stuff out for you, let us know.

Our thoughts are with you.

COMMENT 16954

2008-11-16 07:41 AM

Thank you for posting any new changes or rumors in the Evacuation Orders.......we live on Stanwood near Sycamore Canyon....

COMMENT 16955

2008-11-16 07:59 AM

EDONE - Thanks for your kind thoughts - at this point, I honestly have no idea where to begin, what to do - in time, I am sure I will figure it out and may get back to you. In the meantime, the one favor you could do would be to add to your collection of sunset photos the one which I submitted and you posted, strangely enough on Thursday morning, of the Channel Islands at sunset - I took it from the deck of our home, the last such photo I took, and it would be comforting to be able to come here and see it from time to time.

COMMENT 16956

2008-11-16 08:25 AM

Do fire victims need clothes / furniture / other items to help them settle in to wherever they are temporarily staying? We have a comfy reading chair, a big box of men's clothes, a desk and lamps that could go to a new home.

Siegelijja -- What a lovely picture! I hope you will be able to photograph many more sunsets on the deck of your newly built home. I hope the rebuilding process goes well for you. Just know that you do have community support.

COMMENT 16959

2008-11-16 09:24 AM

Here is the link for the home that fell victim...it is a plot map, not just an address list

It both sadden me and relieved me...2 families from school lost their homes while another friend's was jumped....

For SIEGALJJA: I had tears in my eyes as I read your posts. I am so sorry for your losses, but please know there are countless numbers of us who are grieving with you and others affected by the fires, wanting to help in any way we can, and wishing you the best possible outcome after this tragedy.

COMMENT 16961

2008-11-16 10:16 AM

@SIEGALJJA: I am, of course, very sorry for your loss. I understand that many people using this board as a resource are in the area and have homes directly threatened. I am out of state and the coverage/information dissemination has been generally abysmal. This board, the unofficial Google Map, Twitter, and The Independent have provided the best, most detailed coverage of this event. Although my love and support goes out to all of the local agencies and firefighters coordinating this effort - and there is no doubt they did a spectacular job and helped save many homes through grueling work - the information side of this has been a disaster. My glib comment towards you was inappropriate and was more an expression of frustration at how poorly some aspects of this story has been reported, especially to those who are not in the immediate are. I am not sure what it is like in the local area, perhaps it is better. But without access to local resources it is impossible to visualize or imagine what really happened. The photos posted here are invaluable in helping to create a better picture of the fire to those who do not have access to local resources. My parents live on Las Alturas, and I spent my formative years in that home. The whole area has a deep meaning to me and I still consider myself part of the Santa Barbara "community." So I sincerely apologize and accept that your emotions about this event may be different from mine. Ultimately, I just want as much information as I can get, and I wholeheartedly appreciate anyone and everyone who has helped to provide that information throughout this crisis.

COMMENT 16962

2008-11-16 10:25 AM

Here is an LA Times article about the Tea Fire: "Stories of devastation and survival emerge in Montecito"http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sbfire16-2008nov16,0,3943594.story

One thing I wanted to point out is this part of the story:"(One couple) who live a block away, said they probably would not rebuild. Tightened building codes could bring a protracted struggle to replace what they had, the couple said."

After the Painted Cave fire, there was a lot of effort and energy by local government to help people rebuild their homes as soon as possible and building restrictions were relaxed. In other words, getting permission for rebuilding will likely be much easier than getting permission for new building.

COMMENT 16963

2008-11-16 10:40 AM

SBSUNNY, I agree that it should be easier for most people to rebuild, but many of the houses/properties in that part of town had significant "non-conforming" attributes that certainly won't be permitted. On the positive side, the building construction industry is hungry for work due to the housing/economic crisis so people should be able to get very competitive pricing on their re-builds.

One other question I'm curious about is whether people were adequately or under-insured (or perhaps not insured at all?). I wonder how much of a fight the insurance companies will put up about paying out claims.

COMMENT 16964

2008-11-16 11:11 AM

When our house burned down in the Painted Cave fire, the insurance agent was very helpful. Basically, when there is nothing left, it was a non-issue as to how much should be paid. We did have good insurance through Farmers.

We rebuilt our home and were able to live in it in one year after the Painted Cave fire. We were able to modify and improve upon the plans of the original design fairly easily and our new home was even better built, more fire-proof, earthquake-proof and energy efficient.

It did seem very overwhelming to us, at the time, as we were digging through the rubble right after the fire trying to find anything, to even think about having a new home. But a special team was created by our local government that guided us through the process of retrieving our original plans, retaining an architect, and getting a building contractor. Once you are in the process of looking forward and focusing on the design of your new home and watching it get built, you don't focus as much on the loss. (Not to minimize the loss, by any means!) I just want people to know there is a hopeful future.

COMMENT 16965

2008-11-16 11:46 AM

Siegeljja, I was so touched by your request to post the last photo you took. Your words and your photo are as powerful as anything I've seen here on Edhat. I wish you well.

Dan

COMMENT 16966

2008-11-16 11:50 AM

a big thank you to ed & all who've helped to keep us informed. i've found that you can't trust the list of "city of sb structures lost" on the city's website. i saw the address of a friend listed there & contacted her--luckily she told me her home had been saved & didn't know why it was on the list.

FITZ

2008-11-16 11:58 AM

Does anyone have suggestions about what sources are available for uninsured renters who lost everything?

COMMENT 16968

2008-11-16 12:34 PM

Have they mentioned any place that we can drop off stuff specifically for people who's homes were burnt down? I have a TV and VCR sitting in the closet, that i'm sure someone would love to have.

My memory of the Painted Cave fire is that during discussion of how others can help, the victims were pretty clear that they preferred monetary donations to buy new things, and were not so interested in used items. This is what insurance does, but of course it won't be enough for everything.Do any of you who have lost your homes have any input on this? I'd like my helping energy to go in directions that would be most useful.

COMMENT 16974

2008-11-16 04:45 PM

Everything was a bit of a blur after the Painted Cave Fire, but here's some things I do remember that were helpful.

After the fire, we were digging around in the rubble of our house. Some UCSB students -- I think from the archaeology department -- came by with some specialized digging equipment. We were able to find a gold ring. It's possible some metal (and perhaps pottery) would survive, so perhaps someone with a metal detector might loan it to people trying to find their jewerly.

I also remember that a neighbor, whose house was not destroyed, put signs up on the road inviting neighbors to come to their house anytime for drinks and cookies. Plus, they offered their phone, which was a big deal in the days before cell phones.

We did need clothes and well, underware. The underware was a big seller at stores! We did get some donated clothes that were nice and bought some too.

Other than that, we needed a place to stay and the hotels were very generous with their rates. Later we rented an RV and lived on site while our house was being rebuilt. Others rented a place or bought an RV. So, perhaps if people know of any available rentals, that would be helpful.

The city organized some of this at the time. People could go to City Hall which had a room with a bunch of booths set up. Each booth had information about where to get things, forms, housing, blueprints of our original house, building permit info, etc. All sorts of things. It was well organized and moved us in the right direction.

REMARKER

2008-11-16 05:13 PM

Re Hattie (posted 11/16, 11:50 AM): She is correct. The city's listing of homes destroyed is not accurate. Some of the listed homes on Gibraltar Road are intact.

COMMENT 16977

2008-11-16 05:14 PM

For those who are upset with the utter lack of information on the news, I just want to point out that it was not specific to this fire or Santa Barbara. I was evac'd from San Diego during the huge fires last November. Traditional news was of no help since it repeatedly ran the same footage of the same area for hours on end. During this fire we had basically no news of the activity back on Rattlesnake Cyn which was a huge threat to those of us on the Riviera. Most of the news was Montecito and Las Alturas. Thank God I discovered this board because it proved the same as San Diego- the only real news came from people contributing info from around town.

I know that an operation like this cannot be easy and that the first priority is fighting the fire and securing safety but I do feel like if I had more info I might not have chosen to stay in the house on Thursday nite.

I really think that there needs to be a news plan for such emergencies and it might consist of multiple satellite blogs coming of of either the SB Independent and/ or Edhat that are devoted to specific neighborhoods. The North County Times in San Diego, which serves Encinitas and other smaller beach towns, instituted just such a thing last year. They had reporters in different areas blogging in a Q&A format. From that a bunch of more neighborhood specific blogs sprang and it was my only real source of news. I was actually able to feed news to my neighbors who were in the midst of it (I was in SB). Many of them were very confused on where to evacuate to and when they could return home.

It seems like the right kind of sharing emanates out of necessity as it did here but why can we not just implement such a plan in the first place? We do have the technology to do this as this board has proven.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are facing the loss of their homes. Also, my deepest gratitude to all firefighters and emergency personnel. As evidenced by the scorched trees I saw on the Riviera today, they did a tremendous job of saving homes.

I have 5 friends (who lived in two different houses) who lost EVERYTHING in the fire.

In one instance, my friend lived in a house he had inherited from his Grandparents and had a workshop and all of his tools in the garage (in other words, his whole livelihood was tied up in this home). A few years ago when a fire came close to the house, the insurance company he was with dropped him, and he was unable to find anyone else that would cover the house, so he literally lost EVERYTHING except his life on Thursday night.

In the other instance, my friend and her family were renting and didn't get around to buying renter's insurance. They didn't have time to grab anything except their young child as the fire raced toward them (she felt lucky to have even survived in the first place!)

What can be done to help out people like this, who are uninsured and in one case not even able to work at their former business any more? I am not so worried about the multi-millionaires with their fat insurance policies, but even though this was Montecito, there were plenty of working people who are really going to have to struggle to start all over again with nothing but a pile of ashes....in one case, not even with that.

COMMENT 16982

2008-11-16 06:50 PM

PS. I think my friend would really appreciate your TV and VCR to try to distract her scared little girl who is still traumatized by the fire. I don't know how people can communicate off line, but I would take it over if we could work this out.

COMMENT 16983

2008-11-16 06:56 PM

SBMOM2BE There will be a lot of these stories and it is important to share them. So sorry for their loss. The good thing is they are alive and well. This community comes together and takes care of each other. Maybe you could post a list of things they really need? I have been racking my brain today on how to help. I am waiting to see how many families from my daughters school lost their homes and what they need. I will keep your friends in mind, please share with us what they need, and if there is something we can do we will. I am sure families at my daughters school have baby clothes that can be donated and I would be happy to get that started for you. Boy or girl and the age would be great and let's rally! I am at a loss and really want to help.

COMMENT 16984

2008-11-16 07:05 PM

Looks like Craig's List might be a source of finding a rental: http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/search/hhh?query=tea+fire

There's a social network set up to help the Tea Fire victims: http://teafire.ning.com

FITZ

2008-11-16 07:19 PM

We have a family member who was a renter, who had no insurance, who will not be included in the owner's claim, and who is so appreciative of the outpouring of generosity from friends and associates. Someone earlier mentioned making a small monetary donation rather than donating used clothes. I agree with that type of donation. Our family member had to go out today and buy underwear and tomorrow will buy a pair of sneakers before going to the site to sift through the debris. Work clothes will be purchased at the thrift stores or the consignment shops. I think getting these stores to discount their goods to the displaced would also be very helpful in the next few weeks.

JOHN WILEY

2008-11-16 07:48 PM

SBMOM2B: workshop and all of his tools

Leo John Wiley, my Dad who passed in 1992 left me many more tools than I can use, and even though I gave some to my "Little Brother" when I volunteered in that program a few years ago there are still quite a few left. I'd be honored to pass along some of those tools to your friend in honor of my father and his grandfather. If he'd be interested, please ask Ed to pass along my contact info to you. I can think of no greater gift I could receive than the joy of donating these tools to help rebuild a life.

COMMENT 16987

2008-11-16 08:50 PM

So sorry to anyone that lost their home. We evacuated and were luckily okay.

I think there are a number of enties and public agnecies that did a great job. A fire truck parked in my driveway all night on Thursday night. I am going to get the company and number from a friend so I can thank them.

John Wiley said "I'd be honored to pass along some of those tools to your friend in honor of my father and his grandfather"

That is so kind! I'm sure our friend would be thrilled, for as you know it is not easy to rebuild an inventory of tools. I'll get in touch with him and see where he is staying, because if he's sleeping on a friend's couch or something he may not have anywhere to put them right away.

My other friends have a 5 year old. I think they are still sort of in shock about everything that has happened and said they need a day or two to make some decisions before they accept donations (they are also staying with friends who have limted space).

Thanks for your kind responses-I'll speak to them and get back to you!

SBMOM2B@myway.com

COMMENT 16991

2008-11-17 06:04 AM

We are so sorry for all of your losses. We're also hoping for a full recovery for Lance and Carla Hoffman.

We own an online retail catalog that sells resort clothing and have a lot of new, and cute items that are no longer offered in our catalog. We would like to donate some things to the fire victims, including women's clothing, men's shirts and shorts and a variety of sandals...lots of good stuff.

We have found that in the past, dontated items did not always go to the people they were intended for. If anyone knows of a worthy charity that is doing a good job at getting the things to the vicitms, or better yet, if someone is holding an, "Open House," in, or near the burned neighborhoods where we can drop off, or personally pass out our items, please post it here.

Thanks,

Cindy Alpers

COMMENT 16992

2008-11-17 07:29 AM

Donate Items - I hear they can be taken to the Unity Shoppe

Residents of Conejo Lane and Stanwood and Sycamore Canyon.

We were able to get in yesterday with a police escort. Many home are still standing along Stanwood and Syacamore Canyon.

The new (tiny) green house is there as well as both houses across from it (The large one with the deer statues and the one that lost some of their hillside a few years back that has the white female pitbull). The house across and to the left that just had the hillside stabalization appears to be gone. The house directly behind the little green house appears to be there (they had a large dog. German shepard maybe??) The house owned by Thomas 's family (a19 or 20 year old male) is still there. The one right on the corner of Stanwood and Conejo Rd (on the left) is OK (there are usually 2 Prius' in the driveway). As you go up Conejo Road the large house at the top that's been completely renovated and been for sale for awhile is still there. That's about it.

Most of Conejo Lane is gone, at least 9 houses. 6 houses remain on the lane. Apparently the McNall's stayed behind with there hoomes. All address from 441 conejo Lane down to the Weighhills on the left side of the Lane are still there. The house owned by Neil onthe right (rented by Peggy Buckley) is gone but her car was there.

COMMENT 16999

2008-11-17 08:56 AM

SB GAL: Corner of Sycamore Canyon and Stanwood here....we live in the house behind the "little green one" where the German Shepherds used to live....it is a miracle that we are still standing in this oasis with burn within 30 feet on all sides. A huge thank you to those neighbors around us who had their hillsides cleared and to the firefighters that probably spent the night close to this intersection.B

COMMENT 17001

2008-11-17 09:58 AM

What an exhausting ordeal this has been for our community. Our family was in a warning zone but by grace of the absence of wind we did not suffer any loss. Many friends and acquaintances were not so lucky, and we are committed to helping them rebuild their lives...

One question is gnawing at me. I have read several accounts, from Santa Barbara fire victims as well as Los Angeles ones, where people expected but did not receive reverse 9-1-1 telephone calls telling them to evacuate. Was this system used at all? Or is the expectation of a phone call something that we need to let go of, in future emergencies?

COMMENT 17002

2008-11-17 10:38 AM

We were listed as a warning area around 9 on Thursday night based off of the radio, tv, and internet reports. We didn't get the reverse 911 until 3am Friday morning. So we did get it. I'm sure some of the areas had phone lines that burned, so that would obviously stop any call from coming through. Also, we have COX digital telephone, as I'm sure others do, i believe that if your power goes out, the phones may not work. The power was out in much of town on thursday, so i'm sure that had something to do with it as well.

COMMENT 17003

2008-11-17 10:40 AM

The aerial photos are great....it is hard for me to pinpoint the coyote road westmont road area...if anyone has figured that out please give me a clue or two which pics they are...like 3rd from the left and 2nd row.....please......I was burned out in the Sycamore Fire and even thought I thought I was over my feeling of being burned out I am still feeling some of the old feelings....I am glad I wasn't burned out but I feel so sorry for all of my old friends that are now homeless.....back in 77 we got good insurance response and there were disaster loans...I'm thinking that now that there are so many fires the last 20 years that the disaster loans are hard to get....we also got small business administration loans....on piece of advice I would recommend finding out all that you can to rebuild with proven fire prevention methods....as nice as trees are make sure they are 100 feet away from your house and your roof should be non-burnable material...then after that install a fire hose like Peter Kornbluth and be ready to battle..if you can install a water tank for fire emergency with a generator.....I wish you well and know exactly what you are going through....I remember almost everything I lost then all 30 years later....Peace

COMMENT 17004

2008-11-17 10:55 AM

Picking up on last evening's comment by RIVIERAGIRL on the "utter failure" of local media: I'd like to pick up this conversation here or perhaps in a more focused forum (if anyone can suggest a better one. Ed?). Let's recall, we tried to drive this point home after the Gap Fire (and thanks to Ed Hat managed to place the issue directly before the County Supes who essentially waved it off. See http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=2647). I would bring to this my professional observations having managed public radio news coverage of the major wildfires in San Diego from 1995 to 2007. (We weren't perfect but after every incident, we improved by learning from our mistakes.) Bottom line: it is absolutely critical that radio and new media align to provide "real time" information when the fires are moving. TV is important too but useless to those who are fleeing unless the information is provided as radio or mobile text, which is an option. The Tea Fire coverage was better than Gap by quite a bit... but slow out of the gate and inadequate in terms of real-time updates. And this is not strictly a media issue but a government issue as well. The Supes blew it and need to revisit their procedures. Kudos to Craig Smith for excoriating the News-Press coverage. Absolutely pathetic on all fronts. I moved here a year ago this month and gave them a one-year subscription to form my own opinion of their work. Today I canceled in disgust. Who else thinks we deserve better from local government and media? -- MMP.S. My sincere condolences to those who suffered losses. And a hearty salute to those responders who did heroic deeds.

COMMENT 17005

2008-11-17 11:23 AM

My second daughter graduated from Cold Spring School last year. We spent many years as a part of its community. At last count, I am aware of 25 families -- current Cold Spring families and families of recent alumni -- who lost their homes. Three faculty members also saw their homes burn to the ground. We are all trying to rally around them as best we can. Currently, Cold Spring School has set up an account to assist students and their families affected by the fire. For those wishing to help with a cash donation, please make a check out to "Cold Spring Fire Relief Fund" and forward it to Cold Spring School, 2243 Sycamore Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, 93108. On behalf of all these very deserving families, thank you.

COMMENT 17006

2008-11-17 11:29 AM

FITZ: Regarding the family member with no insurance.

Please refer them to the Santa Barbara Red Cross:http://www.sbredcross.org/

Also, the neighbors helping neighbors site should be some help:http://teafire.ning.com/

My heart goes out to all who lost homes. Our community is here to help.

COMMENT 17007

2008-11-17 11:35 AM

Here is a link to a map showing the locations of the structures that were lost in the fire,

http://discgolfmaps.googlepages.com/TeaFire.html

COMMENT 17011

2008-11-17 03:23 PM

MMARCOTTE - I really appreciate your interest in continuing this discussion, particularly since you are a professional. Also, I mean no disrespect in relation to reporting in San Diego last year. I only mean to point out the need for much more specific information which you definitely seem to understand. I just spoke about this subject with a client who was very upset when KEYT when off the news on Thursday nite. What do you propose as the best forum to discuss this? Perhaps a meeting to discuss how to advance this?

In regards to Reverse 911 calls- in San Diego last year some people got them and some didn't, regardless of land line or not. I'm sure it will always be important to notify neighbors as well. I registered my cell phone for both SB and San Diego on Reverse-911 and I suggest everyone do the same to increase the odds of getting the call. I got the warning call at 4am on Friday morn but I knew we were on warning since we were one street below APS.

COMMENT 17012

2008-11-17 03:35 PM

DONATIONS

From the Tea Fire Connect Site: http://teafire.ning.com/

...co-operation with the Red Cross, the Unity Shoppe is now the designated recipient of in-kind donations.

These items will be distributed to all the fire victims that are referred to us for services.

I've also heard that the owner of the Lotus Botique lost her home in the fire. It might be worth a try to get some gift certificates from her store (if they are offered). 637 Chapala Street

COMMENT 17013

2008-11-17 03:41 PM

WANNABE - I'm so glad you guys made it. I'm very happy for all of my neighbors that didn't lose their homes.

Come up to the lane sometime and introduce yourself. We're next to the yellow house still standing :)

COMMENT 17014

2008-11-17 03:43 PM

We didn't receive a reverse 911 call. Apparently a police car came through the area after we evacuated telling people to get out now!

We're assuming our area and Coyote were the first to go, there simply wasn't time to receive the call.

COMMENT 17015

2008-11-17 03:46 PM

SB Gal- it's Melanie from RCR. I'm so sorry for you guys!

SUSIECHAOS

2008-11-17 03:48 PM

As I read over all the comments from the last couple of days I could not help but be touched and moved by the spirit of the comments here. I have never seen a board that was so civil and polite, and I'm particularly amazed by the way that dissenting opinions can be discussed with respect and civility. I live out of state right now and have to glean what I can from internet sources, and it's pretty awful to see other comment lists degenerate into backbiting, name-calling, and rudeness almost every time. It is impossible for me to really express the pride and warmth I feel for all of you. I can say with certainty that Santa Barbarians :-) are the among most generous and kind people anywhere.

To all of you affected directly or indirectly by the fire, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please know there are many people even far away who are thinking of you.

COMMENT 17019

2008-11-17 04:19 PM

Here's a suggestion for those who have a house standing, if you are able to do this. After the Painted Cave fire, we had one neighbor whose house was one of the very few left standing. They generously offered up their home to neighbors digging around in the rubble to stop by for cold drinks, cookies, etc. They happened to be retired, so they were always there. But here's what happened: Not only did this become a nice "watering hole", in a way, but it also became the main point of contact for all of us to keep up with how and what our neighbors were doing. We got a lot of great info from each other by sharing tips and we got to know each other even better. It was a real feeling of community for our street and very helpful as well for navigating through towards the rebuilding process.

COMMENT 17030

2008-11-17 10:10 PM

Mealanie - thanks so much!!! I'll update the board in the next couple of days. I appreciate your comments on the board, it's nice to see a familliar face :)

COMMENT 17032

2008-11-17 11:08 PM

Roosevelt School is collecting items for families who lost their homes in the Tea Fire. There will be bins out starting tomorrow afternoon to collect clothing, unopened/used toiletry items, stuffed animals, anything that might help the families. On Friday, from 11-2, they will open the doors for anyone in the community who lost their home to come and select anything they may need. We are also working on other ways to help. Big hugs to everyone. Thank you in advance for your donations and we look forward to helping all we can.

COMMENT 17036

2008-11-18 05:20 AM

Thank you to those who posted places to drop off clothing and other immediate goods. EDDICTED, I'll try to get down there tomorrow to Roosevelt School with some stuff.

Jon Givetz of Metro Entertainment, the comic shop where Carla Hoffman works, sent a quick but welcome update on the condition of Carla and her husband Lance after they were burnt in the Tea Fire that’s ravaged the Santa Barbara area of California.

“The good news is both Carla and Lance’s conditions have stabilized and they are both expected to recover,” he said, “although they will both be hospitalized for awhile.”

He adds that, unfortunately, their home was completely destroyed in the fire. “We are in the process of setting up a fund to help them out, and I will let you know as soon as we have it ready to go,” he said.

Big thanks to Jon for the updates; I’ll pass them on as they come in.

Update (Monday, Nov. 17): The Montecito fire department has announced the establishment of a fund to help Carla and Lance. Donations may be sent to:

The Santa Barbara Yoga Center reports that they are receiving donated items like clothes for fire survivors. Those in need can stop by anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., weekends til 6, at 32 East Micheltorena St.

http://www.santabarbarayogacenter.com

COMMENT 17170

2008-11-20 12:40 AM

Roosevelt School has confirmed at least 5 families have lost their homes.

I am sorry my earlier post had incorrect information. Items can be dropped off in the blue bins at the parking lot of Roosevelt School this week. Saturday is when the fire victims can come pick what they need, from 11-2.